Red stains on nest opening must be berry stains - since the black berries are ripening now, and bluebirds eat both fruit and insects. Nest is still active and seemingly thriving, chicks can be heard noisily chirping when parents arrive with food.
Female bluebird shoots from the nest after entering box with food
 Male bluebird with grasshopper | Male waits on nearby utility wire for his turn, carrying a big grasshopper |
Male bluebird arrives at nest with grasshoppper
The camera click makes him turn towards me - he's put off by my presence, and just drops the grasshopper into the box.
Male western bluebird at nest box
Juvenile western bluebird
A juvenile bluebird sits on fence post near the farm (above). Nearby is an adult bluebird on a metal post.(below)
Adult western bluebird
Also at the farm, I find the group of turkeys with the juveniles making their way through the lemon tree rows and drip lines. This is probably the same group I saw in the mist, near the house a few days ago.
Adult female turkey with juvenile, at the farm
Group of turkeys, mostly juveniles
Turkeys disappear into the tall grasses bordering the farm, with one of the adults maintaining the rear guard as I follow them part way.
California quail
The woodpile quail, keeping a lookout. Behind the woodpile was the female with the chicks...his feathers are fluffed up in front from the wind.
Female California quail
Meanwhile, some photos from the back yard birds -
Anna's hummer, back yard
Red-breasted nuthatch, back yard
California towhee on the fence post
Pygmy nuthatch at the hanging water bowl