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...

Two days ago, on 27 July 2021, I found out that I was going to have to spend 1-3 days at home, waiting for a gift basket to be delivered. So, I decided that I would go for a short drive. There were three barns/sheds that I thought I could find, and I also wanted to find some Police Car Moths, which I love. I always forget how small they are.

First, though, I called in at a pond and, though the bird I would have like to see wasn't to be seen, I spent some time watching what I think were three families of possibly Lesser Scaup females with all their babies. The mothers were so patient with their ducklings, swimming all over the pond, keeping a close watch over their precious babies. The youngsters tended to get a bit mixed up with which group they were supposed to belong to, but I'm sure they all got sorted out in the end.

There were quite a few Police Car Moths where I had seen them several other years. There was also a tiny orange Fritillary species of butterfly flitting about.

As for the old barns, I was unable to find any of them. The last one I looked for was a big mistake, as I ended up on a road where a new surface was being laid. No tar, just wet, pale coloured 'mud'. Traffic crawled along so slowly but, despite being as careful as possible, I ended up with a car that was, I think, dirtier than it had ever been before, partly due to three back road day trips in the last 10 days. As a result, I had to spend part of the afternoon at the carwash, getting it sparkling clean (at least, on the outside). The rewarding feeling lasts only for so long, till I go on my next drive, ha.

A Mountain Bluebird gave me such a surprise at the end of my drive, just before I turned on to the highway to come home from my trip. I actually drove past it, as it barely looked blue, but on reversing, I found such a beautiful sight. This male was so gorgeous and looked beautiful in contrast with the bright yellow sign on which it was perched. I have seen so few Bluebirds this spring/summer, so this one, with its beak full of insects for its babies, was a very welcome sight

By the way, the gift basket arrived today and its contents were delightful! Several bottles of different Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars that all sound so good, along with a beautifully produced book of Greek recipes to go with them. How lucky I am!

Tags:   Alberta Canada W of Calgary nature wildlife avian ornithology bird Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides male blue back/side view perched yellow sign food for babies in beak field bokeh outdoor summer 27 July 2021 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 annkelliott Anne Elliott ©Anne Elliott 2021 © All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved

Two days ago, on 27 July 2021, I found out that I was going to have to spend 1-3 days at home, waiting for a gift basket to be delivered. So, I decided that I would go for a short drive. There were three barns/sheds that I thought I could find, and I also wanted to find some Police Car Moths, which I love. I always forget how small they are.

First, though, I called in at a pond and, though the bird I would have like to see wasn't to be seen, I spent some time watching what I think were three families of possibly Lesser Scaup females with all their babies. The mothers were so patient with their ducklings, swimming all over the pond, keeping a close watch over their precious babies. The youngsters tended to get a bit mixed up with which group they were supposed to belong to, but I'm sure they all got sorted out in the end.

There were quite a few Police Car Moths where I had seen them several other years. There was also a tiny orange Fritillary species of butterfly flitting about.

As for the old barns, I was unable to find any of them. The last one I looked for was a big mistake, as I ended up on a road where a new surface was being laid. No tar, just wet, pale coloured 'mud'. Traffic crawled along so slowly but, despite being as careful as possible, I ended up with a car that was, I think, dirtier than it had ever been before, partly due to three back road day trips in the last 10 days. As a result, I had to spend part of the afternoon at the carwash, getting it sparkling clean (at least, on the outside). The rewarding feeling lasts only for so long, till I go on my next drive, ha.

A Mountain Bluebird gave me such a surprise at the end of my drive, just before I turned on to the highway to come home from my trip. I actually drove past it, as it barely looked blue, but on reversing, I found such a beautiful sight. This male was so gorgeous and looked beautiful in contrast with the bright yellow sign on which it was perched. I have seen so few Bluebirds this spring/summer, so this one, with its beak full of insects for its babies, was a very welcome sight

By the way, the gift basket arrived today and its contents were delightful! Several bottles of different Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars that all sound so good, along with a beautifully produced book of Greek recipes to go with them. How lucky I am!

© All Rights Reserved

Two days ago, on 27 July 2021, I found out that I was going to have to spend 1-3 days at home, waiting for a gift basket to be delivered. So, I decided that I would go for a short drive. There were three barns/sheds that I thought I could find, and I also wanted to find some Police Car Moths, which I love. I always forget how small they are.

First, though, I called in at a pond and, though the bird I would have like to see wasn't to be seen, I spent some time watching what I think were three families of possibly Lesser Scaup females with all their babies. The mothers were so patient with their ducklings, swimming all over the pond, keeping a close watch over their precious babies. The youngsters tended to get a bit mixed up with which group they were supposed to belong to, but I'm sure they all got sorted out in the end.

There were quite a few Police Car Moths where I had seen them several other years. There was also a tiny orange Fritillary species of butterfly flitting about.

As for the old barns, I was unable to find any of them. The last one I looked for was a big mistake, as I ended up on a road where a new surface was being laid. No tar, just wet, pale coloured 'mud'. Traffic crawled along so slowly but, despite being as careful as possible, I ended up with a car that was, I think, dirtier than it had ever been before, partly due to three back road day trips in the last 10 days. As a result, I had to spend part of the afternoon at the carwash, getting it sparkling clean (at least, on the outside). The rewarding feeling lasts only for so long, till I go on my next drive, ha.

A Mountain Bluebird gave me such a surprise at the end of my drive, just before I turned on to the highway to come home from my trip. I actually drove past it, as it barely looked blue, but on reversing, I found such a beautiful sight. This male was so gorgeous and looked beautiful in contrast with the bright yellow sign on which it was perched. I have seen so few Bluebirds this spring/summer, so this one, with its beak full of insects for its babies, was a very welcome sight

By the way, the gift basket arrived today and its contents were delightful! Several bottles of different Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars that all sound so good, along with a beautifully produced book of Greek recipes to go with them. How lucky I am!

© All Rights Reserved

Two days ago, on 27 July 2021, I found out that I was going to have to spend 1-3 days at home, waiting for a gift basket to be delivered. So, I decided that I would go for a short drive. There were three barns/sheds that I thought I could find, and I also wanted to find some Police Car Moths, which I love. I always forget how small they are.

First, though, I called in at a pond and, though the bird I would have like to see wasn't to be seen, I spent some time watching what I think were three families of possibly Lesser Scaup females with all their babies. The mothers were so patient with their ducklings, swimming all over the pond, keeping a close watch over their precious babies. The youngsters tended to get a bit mixed up with which group they were supposed to belong to, but I'm sure they all got sorted out in the end.

There were quite a few Police Car Moths where I had seen them several other years. There was also a tiny orange Fritillary species of butterfly flitting about.

As for the old barns, I was unable to find any of them. The last one I looked for was a big mistake, as I ended up on a road where a new surface was being laid. No tar, just wet, pale coloured 'mud'. Traffic crawled along so slowly but, despite being as careful as possible, I ended up with a car that was, I think, dirtier than it had ever been before, partly due to three back road day trips in the last 10 days. As a result, I had to spend part of the afternoon at the carwash, getting it sparkling clean (at least, on the outside). The rewarding feeling lasts only for so long, till I go on my next drive, ha.

A Mountain Bluebird gave me such a surprise at the end of my drive, just before I turned on to the highway to come home from my trip. I actually drove past it, as it barely looked blue, but on reversing, I found such a beautiful sight. This male was so gorgeous and looked beautiful in contrast with the bright yellow sign on which it was perched. I have seen so few Bluebirds this spring/summer, so this one, with its beak full of insects for its babies, was a very welcome sight

By the way, the gift basket arrived today and its contents were delightful! Several bottles of different Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars that all sound so good, along with a beautifully produced book of Greek recipes to go with them. How lucky I am!

Tags:   Alberta Canada W of Calgary

© All Rights Reserved

Two days ago, on 27 July 2021, I found out that I was going to have to spend 1-3 days at home, waiting for a gift basket to be delivered. So, I decided that I would go for a short drive. There were three barns/sheds that I thought I could find, and I also wanted to find some Police Car Moths, which I love. I always forget how small they are.

First, though, I called in at a pond and, though the bird I would have like to see wasn't to be seen, I spent some time watching what I think were three families of possibly Lesser Scaup females with all their babies. The mothers were so patient with their ducklings, swimming all over the pond, keeping a close watch over their precious babies. The youngsters tended to get a bit mixed up with which group they were supposed to belong to, but I'm sure they all got sorted out in the end.

There were quite a few Police Car Moths where I had seen them several other years. There was also a tiny orange Fritillary species of butterfly flitting about.

As for the old barns, I was unable to find any of them. The last one I looked for was a big mistake, as I ended up on a road where a new surface was being laid. No tar, just wet, pale coloured 'mud'. Traffic crawled along so slowly but, despite being as careful as possible, I ended up with a car that was, I think, dirtier than it had ever been before, partly due to three back road day trips in the last 10 days. As a result, I had to spend part of the afternoon at the carwash, getting it sparkling clean (at least, on the outside). The rewarding feeling lasts only for so long, till I go on my next drive, ha.

A Mountain Bluebird gave me such a surprise at the end of my drive, just before I turned on to the highway to come home from my trip. I actually drove past it, as it barely looked blue, but on reversing, I found such a beautiful sight. This male was so gorgeous and looked beautiful in contrast with the bright yellow sign on which it was perched. I have seen so few Bluebirds this spring/summer, so this one, with its beak full of insects for its babies, was a very welcome sight

By the way, the gift basket arrived today and its contents were delightful! Several bottles of different Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars that all sound so good, along with a beautifully produced book of Greek recipes to go with them. How lucky I am!

Tags:   Alberta Canada W of Calgary

© All Rights Reserved