Swallows at birdhouse

[guitarman3]

Went to a family reunion in Chehalis, Washington today and found a birdhouse full of babies. Mom and Dad swallow would come back to the house quite often while I was waiting with my finger on the shutter button. Constructive criticism and comments welcome! Thanks for looking. (3 photos)
Precise ID of species also welcome!

[guitarman3]

3rd photo of swallow.

[einsteinsauntie]

I've only seen Swallows nests in dark places, like under bridges or in sheds and never managed a good clear shot like yours. Did you get any on the wing? Difficult I know but they look great.

[LazyPhotographer]

NIce shots! I love these guys - they always look so pissed off. ;-)

[witchy]

Great shots :)

[tupe]

Nice shots, Dennis. These look like our bank swallows, aka sand martins (Riparia riparia.

[guitarman3]

Did you get any on the wing? Difficult I know but they look great.

Unfortunately, I didn't. I was intent on getting a decent close shot of the birds at the feeder. I hadn't had this opportunity before so I went for the easy shots first! :) One step at a time! Thanks for the compliments!

[guitarman3]

Here's one other- a one-footed landing! Thanks for the kind comments all!

[Lonewolf]

Nice job Dennis!

[Dragonslayer]

Well to tell you what I think you have here is a Violet Green Swallow they are west coast birds and should be pretty common the color on the back rules out the bank swallow, and the marking around the eye here points the the Violet green, very pretty bird when in it's full colors these are probably worn here from nesting and feeding the young. Image are not to bad it's a shame they live in such a run down looking bird house but I guess it's doing it's job or they wouldn't have picked it.

Looks like it was overcast here a little which also mellowed the colors on the birds.

[guitarman3]

Thanks Eric. I appreciate your ID and critique. Usually it's sunny and hot at this annual reunion but this year it threatened to rain. I'm sure that birdhouse has been there for many years if not decades. I was just pleased to be so close and to be able to practice shooting them.