We have two possibly three sets of Eastern Bluebirds nesting in our yard. We only have two proper Bluebird houses up. One was positioned so that I would have a good camera view. The males being the flashiest of the pair, are easy to spot in amongst the Oaks that are not yet budding. The females are a little harder to spot. The poor females, are often overlooked. I think they are just lovely...
Another case in point is a Duck, the Mallards specifically, she is so nondescript she blends into the landscape...yet HE sticks out like a sore thumb. You must look closely at this photo...did you miss her at first glance? Far Guy was quite excited when I was taking this photograph, he kept whispering "Great shot, did you get them both?" "BOTH??, all I see is one Mallard" I only saw one..but I was lucky it was a twoferone that day. Ducks are really hard to photograph..they only sit on these little potholes for so long before they fly off...it is like they have little timers in their heads...aim, focus..shoot..and when you get to the shoot part..they fly off..It must be a "hunting thing."
Being overlooked, something both the female Mallard and the female Bluebird have in common..that and really flashy males:)
Another case in point is a Duck, the Mallards specifically, she is so nondescript she blends into the landscape...yet HE sticks out like a sore thumb. You must look closely at this photo...did you miss her at first glance? Far Guy was quite excited when I was taking this photograph, he kept whispering "Great shot, did you get them both?" "BOTH??, all I see is one Mallard" I only saw one..but I was lucky it was a twoferone that day. Ducks are really hard to photograph..they only sit on these little potholes for so long before they fly off...it is like they have little timers in their heads...aim, focus..shoot..and when you get to the shoot part..they fly off..It must be a "hunting thing."
Being overlooked, something both the female Mallard and the female Bluebird have in common..that and really flashy males:)
Pretty pictures today Connie. The female Mallard is especially hard to spot at first glance. Hope you are having a great day.
ReplyDeleteWow Connie.......awesome shots girl!!
ReplyDeleteWon't you hope on board the "Friday Shoot-Out"??
Look what lovely pics you take. Miz Mildred joined (hint, hint, lol).
Hit me up at my blog if you're interested in joining a "gang" girly :)
Steady On
Reggie Girl
On my walk the other day, I took a short cut through a retirement complex -- where at least 12 males were soaking in the sun between the sidewalk and the widened area of the creek flowing through the apartments. They didn't even move when I walked briskly within two feet of them. I thought I might go back and take some close ups. Didn't do it, of course.
ReplyDeleteI love that you have bluebirds nesting. There are boxes out in the country around here that birders, Girl Scouts, and Campfire kids have constructed. (My girls included 30 years ago)
Unfortunately closer in town the starlings have chased away the blue birds AND the Lewis woodpeckers.
I don't think us women need to be overlooked! Great shot. They are hard to photograph. They are very shy and leery of people that is for sure.
ReplyDeleteNeat pictures, Connie. I'm sorry, but I can't get over Pamela taking pictures of lounging males in a retirement community. I hope their wives didn't mind! (I also hope she has a sense of humor)
ReplyDeleteMs. Bluebird is a beauty -- her colors are so delicate!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures! We missed the female at first. What does a proper Bluebird house look like? Are they different from regular birdhouses? Are those Bluebirds picky about their housing?
ReplyDeleteWe have curious minds in Oregon. :)
Males always seem to "get the glory" but I guess it's natures way of taking care of the female. Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteHow pretty!
ReplyDeleteI have some photos on my blog of some too, it is about 3 days ago if you go back in my posts. I love the mallards!!
The Retirement Chronicles
A proper Bluebird house, is made of wood, the entry hole is exactly 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The hole is 2 inches from the top of the house and should be 5 to 8 inches from the bottom of the nest box. The roof should slant to shed water. There should be holes in the bottom of the box to drain out any rain. We have lots of other houses..for finches and wrens..made out of various materials...but Bluebird houses must follow the rules! :)
ReplyDeletePamala has twelve males..she watches..I am impressed! Yes, she has a sense of humor too! :)
I was just thinking this the other day when I saw a male and female pheasant on the side of the road. Too bad female birds don't have all enhancing products we female humans have!
ReplyDeleteWe all know that the reason the males have all the beauty, is because they need all the help they can get when it comes to attracting females. Some human males included. Not farguy of course.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant photos. And darn those flashy males with all the bling! ,-9
ReplyDeleteYou know I think it is true with humans too, sans all the outside help. When I met some folks of the no make-up or hair style groups I thought it interesting how their women folk looked so different from "other" women but the men didn't look any different at all.
ReplyDelete