These bluebirds are piñon jays. Unlike the coyotes, jackrabbits and mountain lions around here, they refuse to blend in to their surroundings and proudly flaunt their color instead.
They live in large flocks – up to 500 – and when this flock descended upon the pasture, their bright blue feathers instantly brought cheer to the backdrop of winter grays. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to capture their merriment, so I dashed back to the house to grab my camera.
They swooped and swirled and pecked at the ground, looking for the seeds they had stored in the fall.
All was well until you-know-who showed up.
Luckily, Deets missed his prey and I lured him back to the barn before he could do any damage. Happiness lives to see another day at the 7MSN.
What absolutely beautiful birds! I thought our bluebirds were brilliant, but there is no comparison. Are they passing through or will they stay not til the fall?
ReplyDeletePoor Deets, just trying to do his thing. Bet he wasn't too happy when he was put up in the barn. I love the last shot of him!
What a gorgeous shade of blue....especially against your western backdrop! Cats are so hopeful......
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, those bluebirds make you think that spring really is coming sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteThat 3 photo of the blue birds wings is just stunning!!! I have never seen a bluebird before, even in pictures....they are certainly very lovely. a very cheery bird indeed. Deets my dear, those birds are off limits, k?
ReplyDeletesigned
Theresa in Alberta
Beautiful birds, I'm glad Deets missed his chance at a little happiness! His picture looks like he's saying 'Drats'.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful color! And Deets acrobatics! He should be on the Olympic Team!
ReplyDeleteI love pinon jays! What a beautiful greeting of spring...
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! And how typical of Deets to seek some entertainment. Love you Deets!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome shot of Deets. It takes time for the emotions to get back to a comfortable place, but little bursts of merriment help the process. I am sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteSandra
Those pictures are just beautiful, Blue birds are one of he most beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the birds showed up to brighten the winter gray. They gave Deets a little fun as well. :)
ReplyDeleteOle Deets is just doing his job.....but I secretly root for the birds. (Besides.....he has a big ole bowl of food back in the barn I'm sure.)
ReplyDelete~Curious Calamity in Idaho
Wow Linda! What beautiful photos. Their color is striking. I love the third one. Sorry Deets... I'm glad you didn't catch your prey.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures!! We definitely don't have blue birds that color in eastern North Carolina.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you captured Deets stalking the birds!
Love your blog by the way.
Gorgeous! Did they leave any of those blue feathers behind for good luck? You could gather them and make a paho (Hopi prayer stick) for Lyle with them.
ReplyDeleteYesterday the cardinals were in our front field and guess who (Deets' twin feline soul, Dickens E. Wickens) was out there doing the very same thing, fortunately w/o success!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful series of photos - I always think when I see something cool here and neglect the work of documenting it: but Linda will and I can see it then! :)
WOW...what great shots. Beauty really is all around us, we just need to open our eyes to see it. It sounds like you are getting along just fine. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, what a stunning color those birds are! And a great set of photos. Sorry, Deets, I wasn't rooting for you today!
ReplyDeleteIncredibly beautiful photos! Sorry Deets - just wasn't your day.
ReplyDeleteI wish our bluebirds were in flocks of 500... I feel lucky if we get 2 a year. They do always seem to come back. We've been watching them have babies for the last ten years out of a bluebird house we have in the front yard. That last picture of Deets made me lol. Thanks Carson.
ReplyDeleteGreat Deets action shot! Silly kitty.
ReplyDeleteYes, cats will be cats, but I am glad that your Deets missed his mark. Nature can be colorful in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteOhhh, how beautiful. Oh oh...hahahaha gasp hahahaha, I love you Deets! Just doing what a cat is born to do.
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful little gems. Poor Deets. Ah well, I'm guessing most of the fun is in the chase anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe birds are beautiful - we don't have those here but do have Eastern Bluebirds, which haven't arrived yet but will soon - I often see them near the barn.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds!! and wonderful photos!! I love the one of Deets in mid-jump.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful! I've never seen them before. A flock of 500 must be incredible to see. Deets had his moment of fun and they got away -- all is right in the world.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blue birds. We have mountain and stellar jays here and they are blue but not so brilliant in color
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures...(of course)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds and a naughty kitty...hehe...Deets you stick to mice!
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures! When I was growing up in Nova Scotia, we used to see the eastern version of the bluebird regularly. Gorgeous little birds. Unfortunately, starlings have taken over their habitat and the bluebird is only seen rarely now.
ReplyDeleteAwww, poor Deets. Looks like winter has made him a little sluggish. The blue birds are beautiful; your images even more so! What a wonderful bit of color to your day.
ReplyDeleteWhat fantastic pics! I can only imagine 500 of these at once!
ReplyDeleteThey go very well with the brilliant blue New Mexico sky. And Deets will have many more opportunities to stalk prey he can't catch.... Great shots.
ReplyDeleteWow; Deets should try out for Cirque du Soleil! He's quite the acrobat. ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blue skies to go with the birds.
Sorry Deets, I'm glad you missed. What stunning color those birds are, wish we got them here.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous birds and gorgeous photos. I'm so glad to see happiness returning to your ranch. Here in our desert canyon of California, we have scrub jays, not quite as colorful as the pinon jays in your photos.
ReplyDeleteWow - amazing colors, blue spots everywhere - and the first two photos are stunning! And well, a cat's a cat, a fantastic shot of Deets, just look at his claws spread out there. Must have been pretty close for that beautiful little thing ...
ReplyDeleteColors are just so much more intense where you live! Great shots!
ReplyDeleteI loved how Laurie put it: cats are so hopeful....:)) The pictures are stunning and the blue bird is simply gorgeous. I am glad, too, that Deets missed it! My cat is crazy about birds but since she has to wear a little bell when she is outside (for the bird's and mine sake), she is even more hopeful that Deets is:))
ReplyDeleteThe jays are stunning! Maybe Deets just wanted to inspect the striking blue color a little closer, or maybe he wanted a feather to decorate his own gorgeous black coat?
ReplyDeleteNancy in Iowa
Beautiful birds and pics! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat images, although I think the birds are actually Mountain Bluebirds, we have them here(Central Oregon) by the scores and unfortunately their boldness makes them easy fare for the cats......The jays are much larger.
ReplyDeleteI bet they are gathering up to head our way.... we have been without since they have migrated out.
OMG --- I love these guys and can't wait to have them outside my windows in Corona. We have Stellar's Jays in WA state but they are Cardinal shaped and so loud and noisy...but blue and black, which is such a pretty color in nature. Thanks for the pics --- the world is a good place.
ReplyDeleteThey are so pretty and LOL Deets. Hilarious capture there.
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos! And, I'm glad that Deets was unsuccessful. And, as the "old" saying goes .. "May the bluebird of happiness poop on your head." (Really. It was the 70's)
ReplyDeleteWow they are so beautiful! Too bad for Deets! great action shot!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! All my years in New Mexico (mostly southern near Las Cruces) and traveling around otherwise, I never saw a bluebird! Great shots! Belton Belle
ReplyDeleteLove the jays (as well as the fact that Deets did not dine on any)!
ReplyDeleteA Mustang sounds like the perfect match for you! There are some great BLMs, from what I've heard. Hope it all works out.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots Linda!! You're lucky to have "colored" birds...nothing but lil' plain brown chicken food stealer's here!
ReplyDeleteYou take the most amazing pictures! Deets rocks it! Such pretty birds! Thanks for the smiles today!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful birds! I think the most colourful birds we have here are Blue Tits and Eurasian Jays.
ReplyDeleteMy cat can take or leave birds - too much like hard work! haha