Mountain Bluebird And Perch – Both Battered and Bruised

Conditions are tough in the Centennial Valley of Montana, for both the living and the long-dead.

I realize that this image isn’t likely to have universal appeal, partly because the bluebird is in pretty rough condition.  But so is the fence post and there’s just something about that visual congruity that grabs me.

 

mountain bluebird 4587b ron dudley

 1/2000, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4x, not baited, set up or called in

Weather in this part of Montana is some of the most severe in the continental USA and Mountain Bluebirds in the area are known to attempt three annual nestings when their earlier attempts fail, which is quite unusual for the species elsewhere.  Late cold snaps early this summer caused massive nest failures so most of these birds had to re-nest at least once.  I’ve spent many, many hours watching the nesting activities of bluebirds in the valley and believe me it’s a frenetic, energy-consuming business.  This photo was taken this past September 9th when nesting season was over and this bird was finally able to relax a little.  Though I realize that the scruffy appearance of this male is probably mostly due to molting, for me it’s symbolic of the fact that the bird has recently been through the ringer.

And the condition of the post matches that of the bird.  The Centennial Valley is littered with very old fence posts (many still in use) that were originally cut by pioneers in the nearby mountains but this particular post is one of the oldest and most weathered that is still standing.  The battered bird on the weathered post just appeals to me for some reason.

Perhaps it’s because the older I get the more I root for the old-timers who have experienced some of the rigors of life…

Ron

11 Comments

  1. Hi Ron, Thanks, as usual, but more than usual because I agree that the texture of the feathers and post say something really good. There is character and a distinctive sort of beauty in all that.
    Ed

  2. Charlotte Norton

    A beautiful shot Ron!
    Charlotte

  3. I get a sense of this bird not going anywhere. Like the old homesteaders.

  4. Sometimes I feel like the long-dead. Without the rigours of repeated nesting. I would like to look half as good as the bluebird (tired but triumphant), and love that old post.

  5. One thing that strikes me about the fence post is that it actually no longer looks man-made, so it is a much more natural looking perch than most fence posts. I would probably not have suspected it was a fence post if you hadn’t said it was. I find the picture really appealing. I’ve never had the privilege of seeing a mountain bluebird in person, but I really like bluebirds in general.

    Once upon a time I had a bluebird box for eastern bluebirds on my mailbox post. They regularly did two nestings a year, and sometimes three. I don’t the second one was weather related. If they lost a brood, it was usually the second one because they re-nested so fast after the first brood fledged (which I never saw) that I often didn’t have time to clean out the box. So the second brood was often lost to mites left over from the first brood. That was both sad and frustrating.

  6. Nice commentary. We aren’t getting older; we’re getting better!

  7. Another cheer for Old Time things! I’m combination of that old weathered post and the Bluebird, symbol of happiness, because, even after all these years I remain optimistic about Life.

    Wonderful photograph, Ron!

    “Molting is revolting.” – Cock Robin.

  8. Yeah for the Old Timers!!!! Great image Ron! Bluebirds are an absolutely beautiful bird regardless of molt. Saw my first Mountain Bluebird in West Yellowstone years and years ago!! Oh for the memories!

    • “Yeah for the Old Timers!!!!”

      That’s a sentiment I obviously share, Dick. Your bluebird in West Yellowstone was only about 50 miles or so east of where this image was taken.

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