Swallows Have Hawk Eyes [NARRATED] 

Yes, I've watched them repairing nests with mud, Robin. (In fact, I did a movie about Barn Swallows Nesting: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HSAsrIcVE1g.htmlsi=ERkqMOI4LEB18Fdn) But I'm jealous. I have to drive some distance to watch them at their nests. Enjoy their zipping flight this season.

Hey, good to hear from you. When I first started making these movies eleven years ago, I thought it was enough to show the bird and make a few personal observations about it. I have since realized that viewers appreciate it if I research the bird and offer some hard information. And the forward facing eyes are something that, like you, I never noticed on my own--even though I filmed swallows close up. I didn't know about it until I read about it.

Lovely video, as always. Thank you!

@@jakewertz Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed it, Jake.

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME - I'm one who likes the info and fun factoids. There are a lot of bird channels out there, but I find yours by far the most entertaining and informative. I always come away with a fun bird fact and it doesn't take me long to pass it along! .... Regarding the forward facing eyes, what kind of birds were the Angry Birds of video game fame? Surely they had double foveas! Were they brightly coloured swallows?

@@SimplyGobsmacked I have to confess to not having seen the Angry Birds of video game fame. But I googled it just now, and I don't think they're based on particular real birds. But who knows? As for your comment on the info in my scripts, that's an aspect of my movies I've only developed to this extent in the last 2-3 years. I began subscribing to Cornell Lab's Birds of the World and was able to find better info there than I could otherwise get. And I find that other viewers, like you, appreciate it and tell me so. I think Lesley the Bird Nerd offers excellent info. You've probably checked her channel out, right?

Thanks. I'm going to copy what I wrote below to A.M.V.: When I first started making these movies eleven years ago, I thought it was enough to show the bird and make a few personal observations about it. I have since realized that viewers appreciate it if I research the bird and offer some hard information. And the forward facing eyes are something that, like you, I never noticed on my own--even though I filmed swallows close up. I didn't know about it until I read about it.

Wait! I missed this comment? Shame on me, because I love hearing that I offer good info to informed birders. Thank you for letting me know how much you enjoy my videos.

Yeah, that’s interesting stuff about the foveae, Isn’t it? I enjoy learning this stuff and passing it along. Thanks for commenting.

Yes, I could go for an extra fovea in each eye. I'm jealous of the swallows. I guess I was okay as a teacher, but this medium is where I was meant to be. I love teaching this way much more than I loved being in a classroom. So, you live in Spain? Are you Spanish?

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME - I'm a wanderer, I have itchy feet. 😃 I live here and there, following the moderate weather between the US and Europe. I'm not Spanish but have a small vacation home in Murcia (for winter).

@@SimplyGobsmacked Thanks for explaining. I was just being a little nosy because I was surprised that you were in Spain.

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME - I'm not in Spain yet, it's too hot. I'm in Scotland right now. I'll head south in September. I don't like too hot or too cold. I'm like Baby Bear, I want my weather "just right." 😂

Haha. Maybe that's what I'll call you in future: Baby Bear.

Ain't that the truth?! I was intrigued--and a little jealous.

Hey, Audra, always good to hear from you--and to know that you find the videos informative and relaxing. I appreciate your comments.

I"m glad you commented on matching the visuals to the audio, Laurie. That's one of the most time consuming parts of making these videos. Not that I'm complaining. Doing it is a little bit like working a jigsaw puzzle, only better because I get to watch the animals in action over and over. So I appreciate your comment.

What a welcome compliment! It would be ANY day, of course, but today I’m sick, and you just gave my spirits a lift. Thank you. A week from Friday. I’ll post a follow up movie about how swallows fly that’ll probably interest you. Thanks again for commenting.

Also..... Informative !

@@cynthiadalessandro4509 well, if that isn’t a nice way to start the day! Thank you for such a generous compliment, Cynthia.

My pleasure. Literally. It's fun for me to watch swallows when I film them and then watch them over and over as I edit the movie. They are magnificent.

My pleasure, Geraldine.

I haven't traveled much--just Costa Rica and Trinidad--and don't consider myself a "real" birder. My husband is one. In fact, he dragged me practically kicking and screaming into this hobby. I didn't want to frustrate myself trying to get footage of those elusive targets. For one thing, I don't even have very good eyesight. He studies all of them and goes out just to look for birds, whatever he can find. And he has a big life list. I don't keep a life list, and if I go out to a wildlife area, I have a target bird or bug in mind. You won't see me in such places without my camera. The real birders here in St. Louis would not consider me one of their number--rightly so. But I am glad my husband nagged me into filming birds. It's been rewarding.

Thanks. And I see that you capture beautiful wildlife footage from the other side of the continent.

And an unprecedented comment! On two counts. I've never heard the word "goated", so I googled it, hoping it was a good thing. Bingo. And obviously I was curious about another Alwood, since I've never heard from one outside our family circle. What part of the country are you in?

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I believe that you are the wife of Butch, who is my fathers uncle