Western Bluebird male in Tooele County, Utah – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 320, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I headed west yesterday towards the Stansbury Mountains in Tooele County because I wanted to explore some of the canyons of the mountain range. The day started like I thought it would with some images of Horned Larks on rocks. I find a lot of Horned Larks out there.
Driving up another canyon brought a lovely surprise in the form of a small flock of Western Bluebirds that I found on the way back down. I’d seen them before when I lived in Colorado but I had never photographed them which made them lifers for me.
The male was the first one I photographed as it perched on an old fence post calling very softly. He was further away than I would have liked but I enjoyed looking at his brilliant blue plumage against the rusty red of his chest.
Female Western Bluebird in Tooele County, Utah – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Then a female popped up on a fence post even closer than the male. The females aren’t as brightly colored but they are beautiful just the same. As much as I relished photographing them I also enjoyed hearing their soft calls.
Front view of a Western Bluebird female – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The range maps I looked at show that these Western Bluebirds were well out of their normal range, the maps don’t even show this area as being part of their migration path so seeing them was even more of a treasure than I first imagined when I raised my lens and started photographing them. I looked on eBird.org and only found two sightings in 2008 that were north of Provo. They are found in southern Utah but not typically in northern Utah.
Is climate change affecting Western Bluebirds? Will we see them more often as they migrate? I truly don’t know.
Perched Western Bluebird female – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Seeing these uncommon Western Bluebirds in Tooele County in the Stansbury Mountain Range yesterday is part of why I love bird photography so much. You just never know what you will see out there and that alone makes it very exciting.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Western Bluebird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Hi sweetie! You know this is your moms favorite spring bird! It always told us spring was here in Michigan where I grew up! I had to be the first to spy it and run and tell my folks and teachers at school! Thank you, Danke! These are so beautiful photo’s! thank you for such good memories! Love ya’s much mom
Thanks for the pictures.
Cute, nice sharp pictures.
The first two images are my favorites. I do agree, the female is very beautiful too.
Beautiful Mia! You must of had so much fun photographing them!
Love these…and you know me and my dad both loved bluebirds!
🙂
What a treat to start you day (and mine) with. Thank you.
oh what darlings!!!! I adore these guys … wonderful captures!!! I’m surprised at how much they look like our Eastern Blues!!! I can’t see a difference!!! And don’t you love their little songs?? I had a family at our old house and I swear the male would come sit out on the deck and call me out so I could admire him, lol!!!!! Great art, as always … tweeted!!
Such a beautiful little bird…such a beautiful image…bird, background, weathered post. That they ate listed as “sensitive” makes me very sad!!!
Lovely images and interesting questions to ponder. The soft colors look just right.
Very beautiful images Mia. Bluebirds are a real treat.
A few years ago there was a small bluebird bathing in our little pond. We live in Draper so this would add one more. It’s loveliness moved me so, I wrote a poem about him. Thanks for the jog of the brain, Mia. 🙂