Autumn Blues

This is my favorite season in Virginia (not counting Spring, of course, when the bluebirds are busy getting ready to nest, and Summer, when they are so active, laying eggs, feeding nestlings and fledging, and Winter, when they are so almost desperate for food that they literally spend their days perched on our deck, waiting for me to come outside.)

But seriously, this IS a beautiful time. The humidity is low, the afternoon temperatures are about 70 degrees and best of all, the trees are simply gorgeous! You can tell one of my pictures was taken in Autumn if the background is a blur of red or orange or yellow. I will start with some I took a few minutes ago and work backward in time, since its been a while since I have posted. Hope you see something you like.

Sometimes the background is darker, if the sun slips behind a cloud

As you know, bluebirds are drop feeders. They have keen eyesight and often drop from a fence post, or a limb maybe 20 feet up, to pick off a grasshopper or a caterpillar in the grass. It is very hard to catch them with the camera as they drop. Today I was just lucky.

I love it when they spin around on the perch.

The adult male in a classic bluebird pose. I must have thousands like this one

This was yesterday. My wife asks why I keep shooting when I already have so many that look alike. I don't have an answer.

She DOES: "You're obsessed!"

I rarely shoot them straight on. Don't know why, bluebirds are attractive from almost any angle.

I also shoot the males more often than the females. That is partly because that female is a bit more shy. With the male I sometimes have to step away to shoot because I am too close.

Two days ago

Earlier this week --and a little visitor

And another

OK we are back to Nov first. The bird was in the shade but the sun was still shining on the trees, which are about 500 feet distant.

We had visitors that day as well.

OK, I am going to stop and let this thing cool down a bit. (Actually, I am going out to feed the birds).

This one was taken on Halloween.

Beautiful shots Dave! Fall is a great time of year.

What's the cute little grey one with the cone head?

Thank you. Very cute :)

I'm so glad to see this thread Dave. I've missed your bluebirds-awesome photos of them and their friends.

It's still hard to believe your camera will get such clear photos with that high ISO. Have you put in your order for the new Canpon IDX yet?

Here is another shot of the titmouse while I look for a few more bluebirds.

Another male. I need to find some nice females (bluebirds).

Another visitor. This is one from last year.

Had to go back to last November to get this one

This was taken on my mother in law's patio in Baltimore. The red background is the brick wall of the next unit, not Autumn leaves

Here's a more recent female.

This one goes back 3 years

A male, taken the same day.

This one goes all the way back to Nov 2007. Some of these pictures I have not looked at until now. Hard to imagine. I need some snow days so I can catch up.

Last one for now.

Male bluebird atop the pear tree, about half an hour ago

From there he moved to the shepherd's hook, still waiting for me to put out some meal worms.

The female often waits before joining him.

But she finally does.

At which point the male leaves. Don't know if he was finished, or if he was watching out for her.

Apparently he was not finished.

Here he finally is finished. I started using a concrete bowl after the wind blew the lighter weighted ones into the neighbor's yard.

The titmice have been here all morning. They usually eat bird seed, but as you can see, they do love meal worms.

So many beautiful captures! Each one is just so sharp and clear. I especially liked the one with the female "but she finally does".

Funny thing happened here yesterday while I was looking at your first pictures as you posted them. A female bluebird landed on a branch attached to our deck. Of course I had to run to the camera but was just able to get my picture through the window before she took off for the garden.

Two 7D's??? Now you really are addicted to cameras! I'd be willing to bet you have a room in your home just to house all your cameras and equipment.lol

Great shots Dave!!