Female Mountain Bluebird in a strong breeze – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
A pair of Mountain Bluebirds delighted me yesterday morning by making an appearance in one of the canyons of the Wasatch Mountains. I took more images of the female bluebird because she was the first of the pair I spotted and because she was visible longer.
There was a stiff breeze in the canyon yesterday morning and that showed in many of the images I took of the female as she was buffeted by the wind on the perches she chose. In this image she stretched her wings out slightly to maintain her balance. The green in the background behind her is a grassy slope on the other side of the canyon. Female Mountain Bluebirds are duller in coloration than the males are but look at that electric blue on her wings and tail!
Female Mountain Bluebird in a canyon – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
In this photo the pinkish tones are exposed rocks on the other side of the canyon, the pink and green background feels pleasing to my eye so I am glad she used this perch for a bit.
Female Mountain Bluebird close up – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After a bit the female Mountain Bluebird did something surprising… She flew in so close that I could only take close ups of her as she appeared to forage at the edge of the dirt road. I could have taken off my teleconverter and taken images of her full body but when a bird flies in this close I feel like I have to take advantage of the opportunity and take portraits of my subjects.
Female Mountain Bluebird up close – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Opportunities to have a Mountain Bluebird this close to me don’t happen everyday, in fact this doesn’t happen very often at all.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Mountain Bluebird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Ooooh. And aaaah.
What a beautiful bird. Captured in wonderful detail, with vibrant colors and framed by a perfectly muted background. Exquisite. Thanks Mia.
They are such beauties!!! Like bits of sky on the wing…
Patty, I like the description, bits of sky on wing.
Hi! Love the blue birds! I always look for them in the spring in Michigan! I was most of the time First to say Spring is really here! love mom
She’s quite the striking beauty!
A beautiful bird of happiness.
Oh, my!