Swallows are a no-show at Mission San Juan Capistrano
The cliff swallows are hard to find, but the fish in the lily pond are easy to spot during St. Joseph’s Day celebrations at Mission San Juan Capistrano. St. Joseph’s Day marks the official return of the tiny birds to Capistrano. The truth is, they’ve hardly been seen here for years. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Mike Gastelum rings the bells at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Gastelum is the grandson of the previous bell ringer, Paul Arbiso. The bells have been rung over and over this week, but the fabled swallows haven’t made an appearance. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
The Tushmal singers perform Acjachemen songs at Mission San Juan Capistrano during a St. Joseph’s Day ceremony. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Without swallows to photograph, tourists turn their cameras toward children performing at Mission San Juan Capistrano. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Dancers from the Mission Parish School perform onstage during a St. Joseph’s Day celebration. Even as swallows nest elsewhere, the miracle of the birds remains undiminished in the historic city. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Native American performer Jackson Rollingthunder Tahuka kisses his daughter, Sequoia Stronghorse Tahuka, during a St. Joseph’s Day ceremony at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Bird experts say the number of swallows has fallen across Southern California -- the inevitable result of building homes and shopping centers as far as the eye can see. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Ceramic swallow’s nests are vacant at Mission San Juan Capistrano on the day the birds are supposed to return home. The mission put up the man-made nests but then removed them because they were not historically authentic, said a mission official. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
The swallows may be staying away, but a bee goes about its business on a flower at Mission San Juan Capistrano. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
There is always a lot of history at Mission San Juan Capistrano on St. Joseph’s Day, but not as many swallows as in years past. Still, the show must go on. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
