Nesting Cliff Swallows-up close & personal

I was able to get fairly close to some nesting Cliff Swallows and with my 12X digital camera got some very close-up shots. In the top pic, this Cliff Swallow was looking out from inside the nest. The pale foreheads of these birds make them appear to be wearing visors.
In the bottom pic, this Cliff Swallow has an insect in its beak, has flown up to its nest and is getting ready to feed its nestlings. Be sure to double-click on each photo to enlarge them as this really shows details nicely.
SeEtta

Cliff Swallows in flight

Having been absent for several years, a veritable mob of Cliff Swallows have returned to my friend's property by the Arkansas River near Canon City. I enjoy watching them fly, zipping by at high speeds, twisting and turning in dizzying ways. I also find it a challenge to photograph them in flight and these are 3 of my favorite photos I got this week.

The wings on the bird in the middle photo are out of focus because there is a very narrow dept of field in such rapidly moving birds that camera's can only capture a small portion in focus. But I thought it made an interesting photo anyway.
SeEtta