Time to Fly - a Play in Two Parts

I don't think the following story needs too much explanation... though I'm tempted to put words in both the parents and baby Tree Swallows mouths.  Instead, I'll let you imagine their thoughts in the following photos.  

Setting: a bird box on our garden fence post
Date: June 21st, one day before fledge time
Players: Tree swallow parents and babies (there are at least two in the box)

Meanwhile, nearby, the house wrens were busy feeding their brood.  (see this post)  They were such close neighbors that in the following video of the tree swallows, you can hear the wren babies chattering in the background.

After raising their first family nearby, however, the wrens wasted no time in taking over the box the tree swallows had recently vacated.  

So, once again... 

Setting: same bird box
Date: July 5th
Players: pair of house wrens

Papa wren did not have any trouble getting the next long stick in thru the 'door', amazingly enough!

Mama, however, didn't quite get this whole mouthful in at one time and had to turn around and work it in.

The end, for now.  Lots of other baby bird news still to come!  Stay tuned!