On our recent trip to southwestern Colorado, I immediately began seeing western bluebirds – their plumage standing out against the greens and browns of the forest. Every evening I would do my best to get pictures of them, hiking through the pine trees and trying my best to get a clear shot.
The adult female (all blue in the images) proved to be the easiest and she tolerated me routinely. The juveniles (spotted chests) as well, were usually pretty cooperative. The male (buff colored chest), well, he was difficult to say the least.
I swear I went back and forth across their home area dozens of times, trying to get decent pics. I think other campers in the area must have thought I was nuts. 😉 On the last day I got desperate and briefly played a western bluebird call. That did the trick.
Suddenly he was friendly and curious and let me get some captures. As I say, I am not normally a “little bird” guy but these colorful creatures were well worth the effort.
