The combination of innocence, curiosity and exuberance in very young birds can be fun to watch, if difficult to explain.
1/4000, 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
Four days ago I had the privilege of watching this juvenile Mountain Bluebird and one of ‘his’ siblings as they explored this very old and weathered fence post in the Wasatch Mountains. For a while this bird seemed particularly fond of using a loop of barbed wire as a perch while he inspected the possibilities of the post.
Here’s a vertical composition of the same photo to allow a slightly better look at the post. It really is a pretty interesting old post – it was studded with rusty nails, wrapped in old rusty wire and partially covered with lichens. That post has seen some history.
But to be honest I included both compositions because I couldn’t decide which one to go with.
1/3200, 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
The young bluebird seemed to be looking for different places on the post where he could perch. Next he chose this rusty old nail, one that looks very similar to the nails we called ‘ten penny nails’ back in the 50’s when I was a kid and helping my dad build granaries on the Montana farm. My unreliable aim with a hammer bent hundreds of those nails over while I was trying to pound them in. Maybe a kid about the age I was back then pounded the bent nail at lower right…
Perhaps his intention was to go after what appears to be a black beetle wedged in the wood of the post.
1/4000, 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
He found a spot where he could hold on near the beetle but he didn’t stay here long and I never saw him show any interest in the beetle – none at all. He may have not even known it was there, although that would surprise me..
The perch was a precarious one so he…
1/3200, 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
returned to the nail with the beetle left undisturbed.
This is only a butt shot but I think it’s a pretty one. It’s amazing how these young bluebirds can transform from mostly drab colors to beautiful blues in a heartbeat.
1/5000, 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
And guess who was watching his entire performance from the top of the same post – one of his siblings who seemed to be as entertained as I was. .
I’m not sure why I enjoy watching and photographing the seemingly ‘meaningless’ activities of birds as much as I do. But it keeps me entertained and it beats the hell out of watching TV.
In these difficult times birds are my saving grace..
Ron
Note: For a very different take on why we need diversions, be it birds or “cat videos” or both, I recommend a visit to my friend Jim DeWitt’s blog post, published just a few minutes ago. But if you click the link, be prepared for brutal honesty. In his usual style Jim doesn’t pull any punches.
These days we do what we have to do just to survive it all.
“In these difficult times birds are my saving grace..” Here. Here!! I couldn’t agree more, even if our birds are just Goldfinches, Grackles and Red-wings!
Most of our nesting blackbirds have gone, with the exception of a few female Red-wings taking care of their last remaining young. Now we are looking for early migrants who usually start mid August.
Great post Ron, loved it!
I love the back shot because the variety of shades of blue is fascinating. That would have been ‘cute” to watch the sibling watch the young male. I can take the time to do something like that because it is worth it. I read Jim’s post. I laughed, while seeing the seriousness of it all.
What a fantastic series Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Charlotte.
Nothing like watching mother nature to forget the stress in this ol world. My Hubby and I sit outside most nights and watch the Finches, Ravens & Owls as the sun goes down and admire the colors of the sky. Love your photos. My favorite is the bird on the nail. Funny he left the Beetle alone though.
“Funny he left the Beetle alone though”
I agree, Jean. Maybe he didn’t see it or I think it’s more likely that the precarious perch just wasn’t secure enough for the awkward young bird to reach down and grab it. I dunno…
The Bluebird sibling shenanigans are a kick.
I have several “saving graces”: birds, plants, insects, good books, good friends, good beer.
The flip side I won’t delineate, but I’m sure you can guess.
Lyle, all those on your list work for me also but birds (and photographing them) top my list.
I firmly believe we need the honesty of your friend’s post – world wide. Perhaps, just perhaps if enough of us read/absorb/think about such posts changes will be made. Sadly I am not holding my breath. Over here we are doing a little better on the pandemic front than you are. However our government’s wilful disregard of environmental issues because the economy is more important sends me ballistic with rage, fear, grief…When I watch almost all elected leaders across the world my language is decidedly cerulean. Blue is not my colour.
On the other hand, the blue of the birds is simply stunning. Solace and heart balm. Much needed heart balm.
Thank you both
Thanks, EC. Sadly virtually everyone else is doing better in that regard than we are.
We are having a resurgence. The worst death toll for a day was 14 I think, and we have just nudged over 200 deaths Australia wide. Despite despising our guvermint I am very grateful that they are taking the pandemic seriously.
I went into the kitten room this morning to find fresh cat puke from mama cat (poor thing) — much prefer it (and last week’s diarrhea/puke from the kittens) to the current turd, et. al., in Washington.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to try to get lost in the beauty and wonders of nature. These Mountain Bluebirds hit the spot. And it’s not a “butt shot,” it’s a “dorsal view” or a “caudal perspective.” š
“Caudal perspective” – I like that, Marty. Sounds more impressive than it really is.
Thanks again for a wonderful post, Ron. I’m a huge fan of watching birds just being birds! I just subscribed to Jim’s blog, too.
You get a lot of variety with Jim’s blog, Diane. I think that’s one of its strong points.
The last image made me laugh out loud! That sibling pose!
Arwen, he stared straight down at his sibling for quite a while.
What a little beauty ā and beautiful photos! I love the sib staring down from above … though you could think itās a different kind of bird altogether given the color differences we can see.
As for WCās post … I take some solace from watching backyard birds, not cat videos! But heās right about all the rest.
“I take some solace from watching backyard birds, not cat videos”
Me too, Chris. I’m not a huge fan of cats but we get our solace or our diversion wherever we can. If cat videos do the job, that’s great.
Why do you “enjoy watching and photographing the seemingly āmeaninglessā activities of birds as much as I do? But it keeps me entertained and it beats the hell out of watching TV.” Well, the TV thing is just ONE reason, but I’d argue it’s certainly NOT the most compelling. Not even close!
First, baby birds/critters are just flat cute! As they figure out what they can and cannot do, their antics are comical and simultaneously interesting, educational and intellectually stimulating. Watching them often REQUIRES giggles! Giggles, as many as we can get, are NECESSARY to our overall sanity and survival now. As you said, “in these difficult times, birds are my saving grace.” That’s because birds/critters have a grace of being that we humans just can’t muster. Scientifically, laughter is GOOD for us.
Secondly, you’re a bird nerd. And here we are, all birds of a feather, so to speak!
Next, they’re birds/critters. ‘Nuff said!
Finally, TV is toxic. In addition to continuous intellectual drivel, it includes the news, and that’s just bad, depressing and overall just NOT something we should be watching. It’s BAD for us! Birds/critters are healthy to keep in our minds!
But you (we) know all that!
Now going to read Jim DeWitt’s blog.
Yup, you’ve got me pegged, Laura. Those are some of the main reasons I watch/photograph birds. There are others too.
Interesting post. I watch birds and squirrel antics in my yard and any wild life where ever I see it. Most entertaining and enlightening. Keep it up and I read Jim’s post and agree wholeheartedly.
Thank you, Betty. I think love of birds and critters runs in your family… š
As children, my brother and sister and I were encouraged to watch all of the nature programs on PBS. Iām so grateful to her for that, and Iām proud to follow in her footsteps.
Evidence that good parenting has positive results.
I enjoyed your photos, as always–love the juvenile bluebird’s coloration-
maybe even more than the gorgeous adult’s. Thanks for the link to Jim’s
( W.C’s ) blog post–but I have to interject that both my cat and I resent
the comparison to ‘cat puke”–I’d much prefer the cat puke to the other….
“Iād much prefer the cat puke to the other”
So would I, Kris. So would I…
Fun! Rusty old barbed wire and nail served a good purpose! š Beautiful transformation from drab to stunning! When Joe’s nephews were young he and cousin, Ron were doing some roofing SO to keep the boys busy they got them a board, hammers and nails…….BOY did they go through the nails but it did keep them busy! š This is what one of them does now…….. https://www.mclainwoodworking.com/ š
Wow, that guy’s a craftsman! When I was doing woodworking I only tackled a bent wood project once. It takes some real skill.
Great post! Great photos also! I too like you can sit and watch nature in action be it in slow motion or lickety split. I guess nature calms the soul and gives us hope. I read Jim’s post everyday along with yours…you both ‘say it like it is’ and I appreciate that in this crazy world today.
“Lickety split” – another old word/phrase that appeals to me.
Jim’s a smart cookie and I like the diversity of his posts, from birds to politics to geology and a lot of things in-between.
Very good series. Really like his colors contrasting with the different shades of the fence post. You are right about that post having seen a lot of history. Can’t even imagine how many birds have perched there. Gnarly and weathered are excellent adjective choices. If only that post could speak.
Their colors really do explode as they spread their wings and take flight. Very pretty birds.
Everett, I’ll admit to having mixed feelings about posts like that, mostly because of the barbed wire associated with them. On the other hand I think they can add a lot of character to my images.