the blue muse

For the past week, I’ve been trying to get a picture of the bluebird that is contemplating nesting in the birdhouse I have in my garden. It hasn’t been easy. All birds are shy, of course, but the bluebird seems especially so. I am not anywhere near as close to him as it looks in this photo, a long telephoto lens and some serious cropping are responsible for that.

But isn’t he gorgeous?

If he and his wife keep coming back, I will keep trying. The birdhouse is actually quite close to our picnic table, but I haven’t been able to get that close yet without them flying off. I am also very undecided about whether or not I actually want them to nest. Of course, I want them to, but we have two outdoor kitties and I am not quite sure what to do about that. In fact, earlier in the Spring, I spotted one of my cats sitting on top of this same birdhouse.

In the past, this house has been used mostly by tree swallows, which I adore (they are the funniest of birds), but for some reason this year they showed no interest… perhaps because of the cats.

Yesterday was a perfect weather day, sunny and high 70s, everything green and lush from a week’s worth of rain. I spent the day outside in my garden, pulling a million dandelions, mulching, and trying to get pictures of various birds. Seriously, if it was like that everyday, I would live outside.

Sunshine has been such a rarity this Spring, I just couldn’t help but stay out there until the sun when down.

Today we are back to grey skies and probable rain. I am so glad I was able to be out there yesterday, soaking up the sun, working hard amongst the flowers, playing hide and seek with that oh-so-shy bluebird of happiness.

Wishing you a lovely Sunday.