All rise

2 03 2026

Merlin (the app) tells me this is, in fact, a mountain bluebird. I know it looks green. Pretty sure it’s not the camera/lens/white balance/color cast because it looked green in person!

That big white disc behind it is the MOON!

I got kinda skunked again trying to photograph it rising because of thin clouds that were just enough to block/blend the moon as it rose behind the eastern(ish) ridges. When I got back to my buggy from a fairly long walk into Spring Creek Basin looking for the *right* place to stand and shoot (spoiler: I didn’t actually find it), this beautiful fellow flew in to check me out from the utility wire right above me and the road. How sweet! How did it know I needed a pick-me-up? 🙂 These bright blue flashes of gorgeousity are everywhere right now. … I’m not sure whether they’re early … or right on time. The temp hit 68 insane degrees yesterday.

He gave me enough time to unpack my camera from my bag, fiddle faddle around and change some settings from moon-shooting … and of course, he posed like the gorgeous creature he is (see top pic) … before he flew off. I got this pic (above), and then everything else was a green blur (pretty sure that’s a superhero character: “The Green Blur”).

And it was a beautiful evening after all. 🙂


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2 responses

2 03 2026
Sue E. Story's avatar Sue E. Story

This is one of my favorite birds, TJ! You – as usual – got a couple of great shots. And the big finale – a stunning landscape-moon-rising photo! Beautiful.

2 03 2026
karenflash3's avatar karenflash3

Buebirds are so pretty! Their colors always look different depending on the light! Another beautiful picture! Thanks,TJ!

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