Blue!

We've had the pleasure this winter (thanks to all the snow) of seeing Bluebirds at our suet feeder! Except for once, I cannot recall ever seeing one visit our feeders in 23 years and have often wondered how they survive periods of bitter cold and snow. The brilliant blue of the male contrasts sharply with the snow. The distracting background in the pics is a snow covered Hemlock about 15 yards behind them which I couldn't do much with. The female is much duller with some bright blue in her wings. These are members of the Thrush family that included the Wood and Hermit Thrush, the Veery and Robins. Have attached a number of different "poses" of the male as subtle changes in head position etc make some shots more pleasing. What gorgeous little creatures! Enjoy!

Eastern Bluebird

The Eastern Bluebird, (Sialia sialis) is a medium sized Thrush of the same family as Robins. Nearly wiped out by pesticides and competition with Starlings and House Sparrows for nesting sites, they've been brought back by aggressive conservation efforts to the point they are plentiful. The male is striking in his red, white and blue attire. His western cousin, the Mountain Bluebird, has a light blue breast. Ours raised three batches of little ones last summer, keeping the parents busy until September.

Bluebird 2

Bluebird 4

Bluebird 5

Have never had a B'bird come to a feeder until this little guy showed up last winter after a snow storm on a bitter cold morning

Bluebird 6

Bluebird 9