Yesterday I photographed Western Bluebirds in Utah for the first time. Ever!
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
We found a small flock of them on the eastern slope of the Stansbury Mountains and two of them were quite cooperative. This beautiful male landed on a nearby fence post and checked us out for some time so I was able to get quite a few shots of him in good light.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 840, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Soon a female perched on a metal post slightly closer to me. To my eye she’s just as stunning as the male but in a more subtle way.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Then another male (or the same one) came back and landed on the original post but this time he showed me his other side.
In Utah, Western Bluebirds are listed as “sensitive” (declining population due to limited range or habitat). They’re seen most often in southern Utah but this species seldom ventures north of the central part of the state so I was absolutely delighted with this opportunity with them in northern Utah.
These birds brought back very pleasant memories for me. I don’t believe I’ve seen a Western Bluebird anywhere since about 1953 (I was 6 years old) when my father put up a nest box under the eaves of our garage in Montana and one summer it was used by Western Bluebirds to raise a family. My mother made a big deal about it and those birds are still seared into my memory.
I’ve photographed Mountain Bluebirds often but last night I added a new category, “Western Bluebirds”, to my photo organizer. That doesn’t happen every day!
Ron
So beautiful. I saw a western bluebird in 1992…but not as closely as I am seeing these. Thank you.
I love these little guys. Saw some in Ruidoso, NM. Brilliant colors and birds. What’s not to love?
Western bluebirds frequent hilly pastures along a rural road my bicycling group rides. Wonderful riding w/ them flitting to one fence post after another as we climb the hill apace.
Exquisite shots Ron and exquisite birds! I was lucky enough to get a brief look at an eastern bluebird this past Saturday!
Spectacular, again.
Stephen
The more I look at that little female, the more beautiful she looks….
Feathered enchantment.
Just beautiful! There’s just something about birds that delights the soul! Thank you for bringing that joy this morning, Ron!
“There’s just something about birds that delights the soul!”
Absolutely!
Aren’t they gorgeous!! We have lots of Mountain Bluebirds, but I seldom, if ever, see a Western. Beautiful shots to add to your collection!!
Thanks very much, Jane.
Beautiful birds! I love the subtle colors of the female and particularly like the first image–with the brighter blues of the male and the color, texture, angle of the weathered wood perch. How sad that this flying fragment of blue sky is on the decline and now designated as “sensitive”..,,
Patty, they’re holding their own in some western states but I read that in 4 states and one Canadian province they’re on the decline.
Absolutely lovely. And I’m glad you enjoy the subtlety of the female’s plumage, too. I like how Jo Ann described it… Any blue on any bird makes my heart sing!
“I’m glad you enjoy the subtlety of the female’s plumage, too”
Alison, to be perfectly honest there are some species where I prefer the more subtle colors of the female because those of the male are almost too harsh for me – Cardinals come to mind. And that’s ironic because red has always been my favorite color.
I loved hearing about your parents’ interest in the birds—I JUST KNEW here had to be some encouragement for your interest in your childhood……..
Kris, Montana winters were so harsh and long that most everyone loved the spring birds as a sign of improving weather and my mother was at the top of that list.
Perfect post for today! I was just watching a male and female Eastern Bluebird sitting side by side this morning outside my home here in Massachusetts. It made me smile when I opened your post this morning. Thank you for your great photos and explanation of the differences.
Every once in a while I have good timing, Anne, but it doesn’t happen often enough!
Beautiful Photographs
Thank you, David.
Beautiful shots Ron! Thanks for sharing.
It is up in the 50’s this AM with 2 inches of rain with two families of Eastern Bluebirds investigating our bird boxes. However, they will be disapointed tomorrow when the temp goes down to 0.
It has been a roller coaster winter for wildlife here in the east!
Ha, your birds are going to be shocked tomorrow, Dick. Still cool here but sunny and nice. I’m ok with that for a while longer.
I can’t believe how similiar your birds look to the Eastern Bluebird, Ron? I didn’t think the male Mountain Bluebirds had any rufous coloring!
Beautiful images, as always.
Deborah, These aren’t Mountain Bluebirds. They’re Western Bluebirds which are quite similar to Eastern Bluebirds. One difference is that the male Western has a blue throat while the Eastern has a rufous throat (and sides of neck).
Thanks for explaining, Ron, I misread. The Western Bluebird isn’t even listed in my reference book!
It’s an easy error to make, Deb.
What lovely birds, Ron!! The male’s brilliant colors are special but the female’s sutle colors with those flashes of bright aqua is lovely just like she is/
I agree, Jo Ann. The females are beautiful in their own right.
Beautiful! There is a group that puts out/cleans nest boxes on fence posts in our vicinity every year. Don’t encourage them near by with cats around!
“Don’t encourage them near by with cats around”
Just the thought of that mixture makes me cringe, Judy.
These are awesome shots of one of my favorite birds and the States bird of Missouri!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte. I think Missouri’s state bird is the Eastern Bluebird. The range map of the Western doesn’t include Missouri…