Yesterday afternoon, 14 April 2021, I went for a drive SW of the city, partly in search of a particular bird, but also to get away from the workmen ripping off all the siding from my place. By the time I got home, it had all been removed and a layer of whatever kind of protective 'paper' it is, had been installed. The timeline for this repair and replacement has been given as up to 16 weeks, but I can't see it taking that long, hopefully. After checking, I see that mixed precipitation is forecast for Sunday, 18 April. A mix of snow and rain would not be good for the outside walls right now!

There was no sign of the bird I was hoping to see, but I was lucky enough to find a female Mountain Bluebird and two males, each at a different location. The female was perched on her nesting box with a small, white feather in her beak, ready to add it to her nest. No chance to get a photo of either male, but I was just happy to see them. These were the first Bluebirds I had seen this year. Can't wait for when they have young ones and they collect all sorts of insects to feed their youngsters.

Later afternoon, I called in at the little hamlet of Priddis to get a tub of chili and a tub of cream of broccoli soup. There is no indoor dining allowed at the moment, making it difficult for local small restaurants and cafes, so it is important to support them.

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"First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent’s most numerous songbirds. Though they’re sometimes resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, they’re still dazzling birds when you get a good look. Covered in white spots during winter, they turn dark and glossy in summer." From AllAboutBirds.

Yesterday afternoon, 14 April 2021, I went for a drive SW of the city, partly in search of a particular bird, but also to get away from the workmen ripping off all the siding from my place. By the time I got home, it had all been removed and a layer of whatever kind of protective 'paper' it is, had been installed. The timeline for this repair and replacement has been given as up to 16 weeks, but I can't see it taking that long, hopefully. After checking, I see that mixed precipitation is forecast for Sunday, 18 April. A mix of snow and rain would not be good for the outside walls right now!

There was no sign of the bird I was hoping to see, but I was lucky enough to find a female Mountain Bluebird and two males, each at a different location. The female was perched on her nesting box with a small, white feather in her beak, ready to add it to her nest. No chance to get a photo of either male, but I was just happy to see them. These were the first Bluebirds I had seen this year. Can't wait for when they have young ones and they collect all sorts of insects to feed their youngsters.

Later afternoon, I called in at the little hamlet of Priddis to get a tub of chili and a tub of cream of broccoli soup. There is no indoor dining allowed at the moment, making it difficult for local small restaurants and cafes, so it is important to support them.

© All Rights Reserved

Yesterday afternoon, 14 April 2021, I went for a drive SW of the city, partly in search of a particular bird, but also to get away from the workmen ripping off all the siding from my place. By the time I got home, it had all been removed and a layer of whatever kind of protective 'paper' it is, had been installed. The timeline for this repair and replacement has been given as up to 16 weeks, but I can't see it taking that long, hopefully. After checking, I see that mixed precipitation is forecast for Sunday, 18 April. A mix of snow and rain would not be good for the outside walls right now!

There was no sign of the bird I was hoping to see, but I was lucky enough to find a female Mountain Bluebird and two males, each at a different location. The female was perched on her nesting box with a small, white feather in her beak, ready to add it to her nest. No chance to get a photo of either male, but I was just happy to see them. These were the first Bluebirds I had seen this year. Can't wait for when they have young ones and they collect all sorts of insects to feed their youngsters.

Later afternoon, I called in at the little hamlet of Priddis to get a tub of chili and a tub of cream of broccoli soup. There is no indoor dining allowed at the moment, making it difficult for local small restaurants and cafes, so it is important to support them.

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In Bluebirds, the blue colour is produced by the structure of the feather - there is no blue pigment. "Tiny air pockets in the barbs of feathers can scatter incoming light, resulting in a specific, non-iridescent color. Blue colors in feathers are almost always produced in this manner. Examples include the blue feathers of Bluebirds, Indigo Buntings, Blue Jay's and Steller's Jays."

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_Bluebird/id

www.jstor.org/discover/pgs/index?id=10.2307/4077277&i...

Yesterday afternoon, 14 April 2021, I went for a drive SW of the city, partly in search of a particular bird, but also to get away from the workmen ripping off all the siding from my place. By the time I got home, it had all been removed and a layer of whatever kind of protective 'paper' it is, had been installed. The timeline for this repair and replacement has been given as up to 16 weeks, but I can't see it taking that long, hopefully. After checking, I see that mixed precipitation is forecast for Sunday, 18 April. A mix of snow and rain would not be good for the outside walls right now!

There was no sign of the bird I was hoping to see, but I was lucky enough to find a female Mountain Bluebird and two males, each at a different location. The female was perched on her nesting box with a small, white feather in her beak, ready to add it to her nest. No chance to get a photo of either male, but I was just happy to see them. These were the first Bluebirds I had seen this year. Can't wait for when they have young ones and they collect all sorts of insects to feed their youngsters.

Later afternoon, I called in at the little hamlet of Priddis to get a tub of chili and a tub of cream of broccoli soup. There is no indoor dining allowed at the moment, making it difficult for local small restaurants and cafes, so it is important to support them.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SW of Calgary nature wildlife ornithology avian bird Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides female with feather for her nest nesting box perched front/side view close-up outdoor spring 14 April 2021 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott

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"First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent’s most numerous songbirds. Though they’re sometimes resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, they’re still dazzling birds when you get a good look. Covered in white spots during winter, they turn dark and glossy in summer." From AllAboutBirds.

Yesterday afternoon, 14 April 2021, I went for a drive SW of the city, partly in search of a particular bird, but also to get away from the workmen ripping off all the siding from my place. By the time I got home, it had all been removed and a layer of whatever kind of protective 'paper' it is, had been installed. The timeline for this repair and replacement has been given as up to 16 weeks, but I can't see it taking that long, hopefully. After checking, I see that mixed precipitation is forecast for Sunday, 18 April. A mix of snow and rain would not be good for the outside walls right now!

Later: great, I have just looked through my kitchen window and discovered that I have the bright yellow Caution tape blocking me from leaving home. It goes across the small path leading up to my front door, near the front door, and continues all around, tied to the scaffolding. Ha, I would have to climb on to the scaffolding in order to try and get out. Fortunately, there is nowhere I have to go today, but I really hope it has gone by early tomorrow morning, as I have to go out then. I wonder why on earth they would do this. I also wonder what is happening with the House Sparrows' nest that is maybe three feet from my door, built against the house. I'm still hearing an adult Sparrow, but have no idea if there are any babies in the nest.

There was no sign of the bird I was hoping to see, but I was lucky enough to find a female Mountain Bluebird and two males, each at a different location. The female was perched on her nesting box with a small, white feather in her beak, ready to add it to her nest. No chance to get a photo of either male, but I was just happy to see them. These were the first Bluebirds I had seen this year. Can't wait for when they have young ones and they collect all sorts of insects to feed their youngsters.

Later afternoon, I called in at the little hamlet of Priddis to get a tub of chili and a tub of cream of broccoli soup. There is no indoor dining allowed at the moment, making it difficult for local small restaurants and cafes, so it is important to support them.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SW of Calgary nature wildlife ornithology avian bird European Starling Sturnus vulgaris adult front/side view close-up feathers pattern iridescence perched high wire sky outdoor spring 14 April 2021 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott

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