When I was at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge two days ago, I was thrilled to have this female/immature Indigo Bunting in my viewfinder for a few seconds.

Female or possible immature male Indigo Bunting on a log, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaFemale or possible immature male Indigo Bunting on a log – Canon R7, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Canon 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

Because of the blue feathers I can see above and in front of the bunting’s eye, I believe this is an immature male. Those blue feathers are more pronounced in the full-resolution image than in this web-sized version. This bunting may have hatched this breeding season although do not see a clear, fleshy gape in any of my images.

The Indigo Bunting was quite cooperative. I exited Steve’s truck on the passenger side and took my photos of it across the hood. By doing that, I avoided most of the green grasses in front of the bird, except for the one strand of grass crossing in front of the bunting’s tail.

The log on which the bunting is perched is a recent deadfall from some strong winds that have passed through the refuge, bringing many trees, large and small, down.

I haven’t had the Indigo or Painted Buntings in my viewfinder as much as I had hoped so far, but there is still time left before the buntings migrate to their overwintering grounds.

Indigo Buntings always, and I do mean always, bring back fond memories for me from when my sons were young, and we would go out looking for them on back roads in Georgia.

Listening to the Indigo Bunting males singing on high perches and seeing them is often enough for me. Still, I would love more photos of these brilliant blue birds to share and include in my galleries. They are spellbinding birds in shape, color, and song.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Indigo Bunting photos plus facts and information about this species.