Bluebird

The leaves are disappearing quickly from the trees, which brings to mind this picture I made four or five autumns ago. I was on my front porch, and this bluebird was perched in the huge willow oak that graces our front yard. I love the gold leaves framing the bird’s bright blue and cinnamon colors.

There are many beautiful North American birds we rarely, if ever, get to see here in Atlanta (I’m looking at you, Baltimore Oriole and Scarlet Tanager). But no bird is more gorgeous than the Eastern Bluebird. I’m happy to say they are regulars at the feeders in my yard. I keep one feeder stocked with already-shelled sunflower seeds, because I know it’s their favorite. I also keep a nesting box for them, and although wrens and chickadees often beat them to it, I’ll get a family of bluebirds every few springs or so. I’ll even buy dried meal worms and put them in a special feeder when the bluebird babies hatch.

Bluebirds are year-’round residents here in Atlanta, and seeing the bright sunlight on their bright blue backs still a dazzles me and makes my heart glad. Here’s looking at you, kid.