Yesterday while looking for birds to photograph I was enchanted by this Mercur Canyon Mountain Bluebird male while in Tooele County, Utah.
Mercur Canyon Mountain Bluebird – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
He was fairly cooperative and perched on top of a Utah Juniper for a few minutes allowing me close looks at him through my lens. I don’t see many Mountain Bluebirds here during the winter but it really hasn’t been much of a winter here so far.
Mercur Canyon is famous for the mining ghost town of Mercur further up the road than where I photographed this bluebird. During this time of the year when the sun is low on the southern horizon the sunlight never fully reaches the bottom of the canyon for much of the way so the opportunities for photographing birds in nice light are diminished.
I’m glad this bluebird was perched where the light was lovely.
Life is good.
Mia
P.S. Mercur and Mercur Canyon were also known as Lewiston and Lewiston Canyon.
Click here to see more of my Mountain Bluebird photos plus facts and information about this species.
What an enchanting colour. Feathered sunny skies…
Hi! what a beautiful bird! The colors and background is so bright and jump out at you! Great work! Have a great time shooting!
I’m speechless! Absolutely stunning picture! Thanks
Wonderful image Mia! Here is a bit more info from ebird.org — Mountain Bluebird is a vivid azure-colored summer denizen of mountain meadows in the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada, high Great Basin desert, and western Great Plains. In fall and winter they move downslope or southward, and often gather in large flocks, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. Like many western mountain birds, there are irruptive tendencies to their movements.
That is a stunner for sure! I love the blue on these birds and you’ve captured it wonderfully.
How beautiful! If you want winter, come east Mia!
Simply beautiful! I have a soft spot in my heart for all bluebirds. The plumage color is gorgeous!
He DOES have a twinkle! What a great shot! It helps us to know that spring will come!
Mia, I am, of course, a huge fan of Bluebirds since I monitor several Bluebird trails. I must say that you have captured the true essence of the Mountain Bluebird in this photograph. The many complex hues of blue in this male show beautifully against the muted green background and of course you captured the twinkle in his eye. Brilliant!
Thanks Larry. I know you love these blue delights and do awesome work with them.
Very nice capture!
Thank you Ian.
Mia, what a lovely bird. I once counted a pair on Antelope Island for the Great Backyard Bird Count during February and the reviewers flagged it as being doubtful, but the regional reviewer finally approved it I think. It’s a hard species to confuse with any other bird, given that all over sky blue color!
I have only driven through the Tools area once. I have never been to Mecur canyon. It looks like a fun place to explore!
BTW, none of your photos show up on my mobile from your blog, but I could see the image on FB.
Okay, this is weird. Once I posted my comment I could see the image again!
Oh, and my auto correct changed Toole to Tools!
My spell check didn’t like Tooele, Mercur or Ophir Kathie!
Kathie,
I’ve seen Mountain Bluebirds on the Island in February too. They start heading north early. You’d like Mercur Canyon. Ever been up Ophir Canyon? There are some neat fossils up there.
What browser are you using on your mobile? I can only see the first featured post image using FireFox, it seems to be a theme issue and I will tell the theme author about it.
Beautiful! Like a drop of blue sky that has come down to join us!
Thank you Bev.
Beautiful image, Mia
Thanks George!