This morning I am sharing a Western Bluebird memory from seven years ago. That day I found small flock of these colorful bluebirds in the West Desert.
Female Western Bluebird on a wooden fence post – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 320, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After stopping my Jeep and pointing the bluebirds out, I proceeded to take as many photos of them as I could. These Western Bluebirds were lifers for me. I’d seen them before but this was the first time I was able to photograph this species of bluebirds. There was one male and four females in the small flock. The bluebirds called softly as I took images of them which delighted my ears.
I knew that Western Bluebirds weren’t all that common in northern Utah so I was excited that I had found five of them. That I found them on my son Christopher’s birthday made them even more special to me.
Happy Birthday Chris! I love you.
Female Western Bluebird on a rusty metal post – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Since that morning seven years ago I keep looking to find more Western Bluebirds out in the West Desert. I haven’t found any, but my hope of finding flocks of these bluebirds is still there. And when I drive past the spot where I found them, I can’t help myself, I have to smile.
The memory of finding these out of range Western Bluebirds is still sharp in my memory. I was extremely excited to have them in my viewfinder. I could wish they had stuck around longer and that they had been closer but I was super grateful I spotted them on that cold winter morning in the West Desert.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Western Bluebird photos plus facts and information about this species.
They are such fluff balls of color~ Delightful~
I was very surprised to see Western Bluebirds last Saturday when I went out to take photos. I live in north central Washington state at the eastern base of the Cascade Mountains about 40 miles from the Canadian (British Columbia) border. We’re in their breeding grounds, but they usually don’t arrive until late March or early April. I saw lots of males and no females, so perhaps the males arrive first to claim their little territories. They were foraging on the ground where the snow has melted, revealing last fall’s grasses that have been covered up with the big early snows we got in November. They also joined a bunch of Downy Woodpeckers in removing seeds from the Mullein seed heads. Soon, the Mountain Bluebirds will be joining them. I am SO ready for spring!
Beautiful!