Towheeblog

Mountain Bluebirds in sunlight are sure to draw exclamations.  Bluer than blue. Sky, water, azurite, blueberries, jays, Indigo Bunting, Lazuli Bunting, damselflies, bluets, camas blooms, some lupine—nature presents us with many shades of blue.  But adult male Mountain Bluebirds shine forth with a color that could force John Lee Hooker to find another tone for his music.This metal gate post was on Steens Mountain South Loop, at the first gate after you head east from Hwy 205.  The Mountain Bluebirds were nesting inside.Young bluebird on Steens Mountain:At Sage Hen Rest Area we found both bluebird species.  As the climate warms the lowlander Westerns are moving up.  It is the first time I have seen Western here, over 4000 feet in elevation. Not happy news for his montane cousins.  There are still Mountain Bluebirds there as well.  That male photo at the top of this blog was taken on the roof of the toilet building at Sage Hen.