Swallows

About 3 weeks ago, I saw some swallows flying over the garden. I rushed and cleaned out all of the birdhouses that are hung on the posts around the garden. I haven't seen them since. They were the scouts who come every year and check out the area. I wonder where they go to tell the others that are waiting to come? How do they know when it is the right time to come? There are a lot of insects for them to eat, so it must be the temperature.

Each year we have been fortunate to have them come and raise their young. It is one of my favorite experiences to watch and hear them as I do my work in the garden. From making their nests, the little ones peering out of the birdhouse, their first flying lessons, sitting on the wires of the garden fence chattering and waiting patiently to be feed, to their soaring flight and swoops down into the garden - it all is a wonder to witness.

One year they nested by our front door. We had a very close connection to this particular family of swallows.They didn't seem to mind us walking by their nest and our curiosity about their activities. One day the nest was empty and we felt sad that they had left. Then a few days later, Anthony walked out the front door and discovered that the little ones were sitting on the dragonfly doorknocker!! We grabbed the camera and captured this wonderful moment. That was the last time that we saw them.

I always wonder if they are the swallows that soar around me when I'm in the Dragonfly Garden.