Monday, April 13, 2009

Gratitude Monday - Bluebird Plains Edition

We went for a drive out west on Good Friday. We took our time and stopped for photos as needed. I'd said our mission was to find bluebirds.
There's at least one nesting pair out on the Kootenay Plains, about a 90 to 105 minute drive from here. The Plains are an ecological reserve and many bluebird boxes are attached to the fenceposts along the highway.
We saw bluebird couples four times during our drive. We saw at least two different pairs, based on the colouring. Maybe there were eight birds. Maybe it was four twice, or two four times, or maybe one pair three times and then another. We may never know and it does not matter. We went for bluebirds and they were most accommodating.
It was a good day for a drive in the mountains, and for that I am grateful.

14 comments:

Crabby McSlacker said...

I can just see the bluebirds trying to calculate how many human couples they saw... we probably all look alike to them too!

That's so cool that you went looking for bluebirds and found them! Next time I buy a lottery ticket, I want to take you with me.

the Bag Lady said...

OMG - that bird is SO blue!! We don't get those here - just blue jays.
Thanks for sharing that picture, cousin!

Leah J. Utas said...

Crabby, I didn't think of it that way. I bet they do keep track.

dfBag Lady, the birds really are a magnificent blue. I was so pleased we found them. The best time of day is late afternoon and early evening, but we were there in the middle of the day.

Reb said...

What a gorgeous shade of blue! Glad you found your bluebirds!

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Reb. We're glad, too.

Redbush said...

You're so lucky to have bluebirds! I have seldom ever seen one, but, wish they would frequent our area so I could paint them in their environment. Lovely photo! I'm envious because you probably have a lot of different bird populations than we do!

Leah J. Utas said...

Redbush, I think we do have some different birds than you.
I love the bluebirds. I try to get out to see them at least once a spring.

Thomma Lyn said...

Oh, what a beautiful bluebird! Sounds like you had a wonderful drive, and how wonderful, a mission to find bluebirds. :)

Leah J. Utas said...

Thomma Lynn, bluebirds are beautiful. I'll be posting other pics later on. I really wanted to see some the other day. I'm so glad it worked out.

Nancy said...

I love blue birds but all we have a jays. Lucky you!

How wonderful that there are blue bird houses on the fence posts.

Leah J. Utas said...

Many people and organizations see to it that fenceposts have nests, Lover of Life. Such boxes are all over this part of the province.

Hilary said...

How beautiful! I don't think I've ever actually seen a bluebird either. But we did just see the return of the Great Blue Heron on our walk yesterday evening. That was the first time we'd seen him do his flyby near the creek since the very end of November. It's such a lovely sight.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Hilary. Come out here in the spring. I'll take you on a bluebird expedition.
Herons are lovely. They looks so prehistoric in flight.

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