I don’t see a photo like this one every day and I look at an enormous number of bird photographs.
I spent much of yesterday afternoon culling the 1400+ photos I took of Mountain Bluebirds at their natural nest cavity four days ago. My intention was to post about a dozen of them this morning but I couldn’t process all of them in time so today there’ll be only one.
If nothing else it’s certainly unique to my portfolio. I’ve never posted another photo quite like it.
1/400, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This is the male Mountain Bluebird about to exit the nest cavity. In a previous post I complained about some twigs almost directly in front of the cavity that cast unfortunate shadows on the entrance for much of the morning and ruined many of my photos. Both bluebirds liked to perch on those twigs in order to guard their nest from a marauding House Wren that kept trying to take over the cavity for its own nesting purposes.
In this photo, taken as the male was about to exit the cavity, we see the shadow of his devoted mate cast on the tree directly above him as she perched on one of those twigs. There’s actually a dark spot on the tree bark that resembles her eye to enhance the effect. And in sort of a weird cycle of photons it’s likely that he’s looking directly at his mate whose shadow we see above him.
The photo is certainly different. I realize that just being different doesn’t necessarily make it any good but I enjoyed seeing it so I hope my readers do too.
More bluebirds soon.
Ron
Wonderful Ron. All parts from his sort of puzzled look to his mates shadow made me smug, lots. I’ll remember the photo for a long time. Thank you. Diana
I love this one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🙂
This one’s a winner, Ron! A beautiful bond delightfully captured… Thank you!
I’m glad you enjoy it, Diane. Thanks.
I love the picture!
Thanks, Susan.
What a phenomenal shot, Ron! So much to love about this one! The head-on view of the male combined with the side view of the female’s shadow, the position of her shadow relative to the nest entrance, the way the shadows of the other twigs frame the couple — I could go on and on!
You certainly gave ol’ Murph the finger with this one!
Every once in a while I come out on top when it comes to Murph, Marty. But to be honest I’m surprised he didn’t cause me to clip the shadow’s tail. He’ll get me next time for sure. Thank you.
What a truly beautiful shot. It’s a bit poignant for me.
I’m glad you like it, Arwen – I hope poignant’s a good thing in this context…
It is. 🙂
I am in complete agreement with everyone.
Serendipity at her very best.
Thank you, EC.
Oh, it’s really wonderful. What’s not to love about bluebirds—but this is a really special perspective!
Thank you, Chris.
I love this photo, especially because it is a naturally occurring event, not something staged. We have a large print on our wall of something similar. Over 30 years ago I bought a limited edition print of.a painting of a female Red-winged Blackbird in the marsh. It is a vertical format and she is in the top 1/3 of the painting and looking up towards the vegetation above her. Near the bottom of the painting is the water over which she sits. On the water’s surface is the reflection of the emerging vegetation and of the male above her but out of the painting. I’ve always liked this composition, but your photo tops it, in part because it is natural. Some shadows are intruders. This one elevates a very good photo to a very spectacular photo.
Naturally occurring behaviors make a huge positive difference, don’t they Dan. If this photo belonged to someone else and it was obviously a setup my reaction would be something along the lines of ” interesting but ho-hum” if the photographer disclosed that it was a setup. If the photographer didn’t disclose, my only reaction would be disdain.
I guess it’s pretty obvious; I do not like setups, especially when the methods used to take them aren’t disclosed to the consumer – whomever it may be.
“Being different doesn’t necessarily make it any good”, but in my opinion doesn’t make it bad either so after so many positive opinions from your readers I hope you won’t hesitate posting more “different” photos in the future.
I really can’t take my eyes from it.
Just amazing.
Ha, I can only wish I had many other “different” images in my archives with this much mystery and intrigue. Although when I think about it there could be one or two. But finding them would be a huge endeavor. Thanks very much, Jorge.
This one should be in the Museum of Modern Bird photography, if there was one. Every time I look at it I see a different interpretation. What does the shadow symbolize? Friend or foe? Protector? Mate? Curious passerby? I see a Bluebird totem.
Lyle, I was wondering what your take might be on this. I had some thoughts that were similar but when it comes to symbolism and interpretation I have little confidence in my skills.
Rare and beautiful. I have greatly enjoyed the bird’s shadows on the nesting tree cavity area you captured in this series. Outstanding!
Thanks, April. I have to wonder how many interesting shots I missed before I noticed that their shadows were being cast on the nest tree. Once I noticed I took a bunch but I’m sure I missed some good ones too. Pay attention, Ron!
What an amazing capture! Thanks for sharing this great photo!
Thank you, Shane. Hope your leg’s feeling better by now.
What a lovely, unusual, wonderful photo. It is both beautiful and haunting. Of all the 1400 plus photos you took in 4 days with the Mountain Bluebirds I would bet this one will always be a standout. Thank you for posting it. It is unforgettable.
“I would bet this one will always be a standout”
You may be right, Melanie. That’s kind of how I feel about it but then I’m often biased so getting feedback from my readers, positive or negative, really helps.
One of those happenstances that are truly unique. You could not plan this shot if you wanted to. I really like it…a keeper for sure! This needs a caption…
Thanks, Kathy. I’m not very creative when it comes to captions.
Great photo! I have Eastern bluebirds here. No tree cavity that I’m aware of in the neighborhood. But I love watching my mated pairs guarding their nest boxes, Your picture is the land/tree version of your beautiful water reflection shots of the ducks and others. If this was the luck of the shutter, it’s just such an emotional capture. Thanks Ron.
Ellen, for me it’s real serendipity to find them in natural cavities. Usually they’re in nest boxes. But if you look hard enough, often enough, in the right places and at the right time of year…. 🙂
I REALLY like it! 🙂 He certainly is intense! Those House Wrens get something in it’s head it’s VERY difficult to dissuade.. 😉
Judy, that wren was a persistent little rascal. And FAST! Man was it tough to photograph.
A fantastic shot Ron. I’ll take unusual anytime..things you couldn’t possibly plan for or stage..the shadow, the complimenting colors of the tree setting off the Bluebird…WOW
“things you couldn’t possibly plan for or stage”
Exactly! When I was a beginning bird photographer one of the hardest lessons for me to learn was to “always expect the unexpected” and be ready to fire away when it happens. Birds are fast so it seldom lasts long.
It’s strange AND beautiful, and as Allison says, really will linger in the memory.
And I noticed that not only is there a bark-mark that suggests an eye in that
shadow, there is also a subtle lighter ring around it, suggesting the paler
shading around the actual bird’s eye—-truly a memorable image–loved it !
You’re right, Kris. I hadn’t noticed that ring but it’s certainly there. The combination of the two almost suggests a “negative” (recalling film days) of an entire eye and a catch light. Which begs the question – how can a catch light cast a shadow? … 🙂
What a wonderful shot. It appears you got the better of Murphy on this one.
“It appears you got the better of Murphy on this one.”
Ha, you’re absolutely right, Linda. Never though of that. I’ll take serendipity over ol’ Murph any day!
I love that shot! The photo gods smiled on you there, Ron. They’re a little quirky sometimes, aren’t they?
A little quirky indeed. Thanks, Stephanie.
I love this! Would love to purchase a copy. Also, on another note, you & Mia should Read the NYTimes story about the American Chestnut….great read!
Thanks, Lynnette. I’m afraid that all print purchases of my photos are on hold for now because of coronavirus.
Good? It’s spectacular! And that image will stay with me for a very long time. Thanks so much for posting it, Ron.
Thanks, Alison. I’m never sure how others will perceive my posts. I feel pretty much the same way you do about it but I’ve been known to like photos a little too much just because they’re different.
A really neat and colorful photo just on its own without the shadow, but the shadow and your explanation make it special. I think too that the white bark with the blue bird really adds to the photo’s appeal. Is it a White Birch or Quaking Aspen? Love it.
Thank you, Everett. Aspen I believe. I should have paid more attention.
Ron: Just beautiful! A very unique photo that I love. Thank you.
Thanks, Richard. Glad you like it.