Monday, March 16, 2009

Photo of the Week

They're ba-a-a-a-ck!!! The bluebirds (I assume it's the pair who nested here last year) have been in the area all winter and have come to check the house each week. Maybe everyday, but I don't see them that often. Today, however, they came early and stayed for at least two hours, exploring the house, measuring for curtains and rugs, etc., and defending against intruders. The usual baddies include house sparrows, mockingbirds, and territorial robins. Squirrels have begun exploring our deck each day, and the bluebirds very deftly informed one of them that their favorite perch on the far end of the deck is private property. It's fun to watch not only the male but the very feisty little female fend off any creature who attempts a takeover. They had a terrible time last year with a determined robin, but they won out in the end and fledged four little blues in the house.
So, here is Papa Blue. I don't know if he's really that rotund, or if he's just fluffed up to keep warm during the cooler temperatures. He's never that round in the summer, but isn't he a cutie?

13 comments:

Carla said...

Oh lucky you!! The bluebirds around here are scarcely seen. Wonderful shots.

HElen said...

What a wonderful photo! Love this bird!

Linda Fleming said...

You have no idea how much I enjoy your bluebird stories and photos. Always brings a smile to my face and good feeling in my heart! Love these photos, and hope to see many more throughout the spring and summer.

Shashi Nayagam said...

What a lovely photo of the bird. I love bird pictures as they are so hard to take.

Jennifer Rose said...

he is very cute :D the robins around here have attitude problems even going after the black birds that are 3 times their size :p

BumbleVee said...

Oh, so beautiful! It doesn't seem possible does it that the colours can be that perfect. I sure hope they find little curtains right away and perhaps even hang something around the doorway to make it smaller so the big fat robins can't even get through the opening...that should fix things.

Serena Lewis said...

I loved reading about the bluebirds setting up house, Mary. They are so darned cute...hard to believe they can be so mighty and fierce over their territory. I hope the robin behaves himself this time around. :)

JudiA said...

You are so lucky to have such interesting neighbors! Thanks for sharing their adventures.

Anonymous said...

Very pretty bluebirds, I am glad you get to enjoy them.

Mike Fleming said...

Love the little bluebirds, wonderful photos Mary

Fran said...

OOOOOOOO! What a pretty sweet little bird. Love his colors.

sandy said...

Ohh...that's a western bluebird isn't it? I only get them for a few months around here. And..I can rarely photograph them, they are the most skittish of birds..Nice photos.

MaryO said...

Actually they are Eastern bluebirds, Sandy. They're here year round in Maryland.