Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis

Eastern Bluebird male

Another sure sign of spring are the increasing numbers of Eastern Bluebirds around. My previous post mentioned the pair that had taken up residence in my bluebird nest box (they're still there!). The two pictured here were photographed at Rollins Savanna where they had found one of the many nest boxes scattered around the area.

The thing I love most about this time of year (from a birding perspective) is that all the birds are in their 'summer clothes' as my daughter put it. And better than that, their clothes are brand new! At the end of the summer their plumage looks like its been through the wash too many times and is often frayed at the edges.

Eastern Bluebird female

Looking up information about the bluebirds, I found that the male does none of the 'work' associated with nest building. He will do a display at the nest box, go in and out of the box and brings a little nesting material....and that's it! The female does the rest of the work (its amazing how bird life can parallel real life!!).

Both these shots were taken with my new 'toy', which is my new camera and lens. I have more megapixels to play with and a longer lens to shoot with among other improvements. I've had the lens for five days and taken over 1,100 shots with it with plenty of 'keepers'.