Bluebird

[Loupey]

My fracture is far enough healed that I can support my big lens again (despite still being in a cast). Here is the last image I took with the 300mm f/4L IS + 2xTC combo. I'm frustrated in that I still don't have a good bluebird image. This one (along with 3 other pairs) I followed all over the place for about 30 minutes. Image cropped somewhat.

The electric blue back is what I'm trying to capture when they are in flight.

Time to relegate the 300mm back to macro duties

[SARtech]

I would think part of the difficulty would be because they are so dang small! Hang in there, you'll get that back shot I have no doubt. WHEN is the question. hehee
I can relate to "frustration".
Cute little guy.

Kristine

[Martin Brazil]

Glad to hear your healing up well my friend. A very nice shot of the bluebird, a bird I have never seen before.

[mn shutterbug]

You sure get them a lot earlier there than we do here. We still have at least a couple months to go.

[Knight]

Glad to see your getting better Loupey ,Bluebirds will get use to your presence if your sneaky with them and avoid eye contact. Best time i have found is just after the young are born mom and dad stay real close and take turns feeding.

[AgingEyes]

Glad to know you're out chasing birds again

Cute little bird you have. I don't think I've seen them in person.

[scott-devon]

Good to see you getting out and about Loupey. Nice shot, have fun!

[Loupey]

Thanks a lot! It's nice getting the equipment back in my hands.

As for the bluebirds, we had quite a few over-winter here. Perhaps because I'm paying more attention, I also saw quite a few other species winter that I had no idea would stick around (ruby-crowned kinglets, 2 golden-crowned kinglets, yellow-rumped warblers, sapsuckers, etc.)

[Loupey]

Since the original shot, I've been literally chasing the bluebirds all over the place trying to get a decent shot at close range. No luck.

This past Saturday, while stalking red-winged blackbirds in the evening light, I had two bluebird pairs land within easy shooting range. They were intent on finding worms and grubs in a semi-open patch of reeds and grasses near where I was standing.

It is SO much easier when they come to you

[Shebang]

Glad you're healing! Love your shots!

[Pink Dragonfly]

What a beauty

Mette

[Loupey]

Paula & Mette - I thank you both for looking and the nice comments.

[Jaedon]

Once your wrist heals you can rehab it on blue birds in preparation for teh swallows later on in the season =)

I love the last shot when they came to you.... and yeah it is SO much easier when that happens lol

[Loupey]

Jaedon - yeah the swallows and swifts will be here soon and I have a couple images to nail down this year that I didn't get last year (drinking on the fly, bathing on the fly, and eating on the fly).

Thanks

[paulnj]

Did the bluebirds leave in your area? Some stay in my area in certain spots(horse farms especially)

[Loupey]

Did the bluebirds leave in your area? Some stay in my area in certain spots(horse farms especially)

I haven't checked in the usual bluebird areas for a while. I would think they're still around since they wintered here (actually not seen them in such numbers as I have recently).

[Loupey]

bluebirds are awesome

at what months do we see them?

Depends on where you are. They were scarce in my parts due to habitat destruction but seem to be rebounding thanks to better park management. I suspect that they will have chicks soon and leave soon thereafter - or maybe they will stick around all year again.