Mountain Bluebirds in the Qu'Appelle Valley

Yeah! Mountain Bluebirds have arrived in the valley north of Regina, Saskatchewan! 

We went for a drive this afternoon to look for Mountain Bluebirds and saw a flock of a dozen or more flitting around a group of trees. The males are oh-so-bright and easy to see, but there were many females, too — although most were more brown than blue. 

My first Mountain Bluebird picture of the year!  
And what a lovely bright male!  © SB

None of the Bluebirds we saw were on fences or near the nest boxes that are scattered along the route we took through the Qu'Appelle Valley. Instead, they flew and settled on the trees.

These Mountain Bluebirds, then, are likely passing through on their way to parts norths. Those few who are staying to nest along Rte 99 (from Craven to Highway 6) or near the old church on the other side of the valley have perhaps not yet settled in.

Yeah, for Mountain Bluebirds!!!


What are these? Mountain Bluebirds 
Location: Along Rte 99, between Craven and Highway 6, north of Regina, Saskatchewan

Photo dates: March 24, 2014. 

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Blue-winged Teal: White mask, blue wings

A pair of Blue-winged Teals   © SB

Long after I learned to identify Blue-winged Teals by the white half-mask across the male's face, I finally saw blue wing flashes on these prairie ducks.

The blue is visible when they fly — as long as you're at the right angle to see it...

It's also visible at times (but not, to me, often) when Blue-winged Teals float and feed in their preferred shallow, marshy ponds.

The first photograph above shows a clear sideview of a male's blue and green wing markings; the one below also shows the blue on a female's wing.

A pair of Blue-winged Teals, with blue wing flashes showing. © SB

What are these?  Blue-winged Teals

Location: Along Rte 99, near Craven, Saskatchewan, and near Yellowgrass, Saskatchewan.

Photo date: May 25, 2013, and June 16, 2012. 

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Mountain Bluebirds: Brilliant flashes of Saskatchewan sky

Mountain Bluebird on nestbox - I hope he stays! © SB

Dozens of sky-blue Mountain Bluebirds rose
from the grass and bushes along the side of Route 99 east of Craven, Saskatchewan, yesterday.

A single brilliant male. A group of perhaps three pairs. A flock of 13 — that I counted. More...

Will these lovely birds nest in the many boxes on the road, or are they moving through?

I hope they stay. To see so many Mountain Bluebirds in one small stretch along the Qu'Appelle Valley, so close to Regina, was a total enchantment.

Sky blue. That's what I've read in bird books about Mountain Bluebirds.

And it's true, as long as you see the sky ranging from pale aquamarine to deepest sapphire, with glints of iridescence.

These birds are not a gentle baby blue; their feather flash, reflect the light.

Flying jewels, impossibly, brilliantly blue.

And yet, at the same time, easy to miss or to ignore.

The two cars that passed me on that (at times) quiet road buzzed by in a cloud of dust, their drivers oblivious to the tiny beauties on the valley fence posts, grasses, trees.

Female Mountain Bluebird on a wire - softer, grayer.  © SB

Fence post Mountain Bluebird, #1, male. © SB

Fence post Mountain Bluebird, #2, male. © SB 

What are these? Mountain Bluebirds.   
Location: Along Rte 99, not far east of Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada.   

Photo date: April 3, 2013. 

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Turkey Vultures in Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Valley

Fence-post Turkey Vulture, displaying its long claws.  © SB

Eight Turkey Vultures sat on fence posts at the edge of the Qu'Appelle Valley, near Craven, Saskatchewan.

Further down the road, a dozen rose from a tree-filled coulee to soar across the sky.

In all, I saw more than 20 Turkey Vultures that day — a personal record.

Even better, I managed a few clear shots of this impressive, large (and very weird looking) bird.

These carrion-eaters have red featherless heads — good for personal hygiene, and an easy way to identify Turkey Vultures at close range. In the sky, their dark upper and light lower feathers are a better marker, as well as the shape of their wings and tail.

The Vulture Society says Turkey Vultures do well in landscapes with open and wooded areas, but can be found almost anywhere. (The Society also calls Turkey Vultures "gentle and non-aggressive," which will be good to remember if I am lucky enough to again be confronted by so many.)

Turkey Vultures: Eight on posts, two on the ground.   © SB

Turkey vultures: 10 flying over the trees.  © SB

Turkey Vulture, wings spread in flight.    © SB  

What are these?  Turkey Vultures

Location: Along Route #99 through the Qu'Appelle Valley, north of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Photo date: August 10, 2012.  

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Baltimore Oriole: Improbably, brilliantly orange

I've seen very few Baltimore Orioles this season — only two, in fact: first, the improbably, brilliantly orange and black bird in this photograph, taken in Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Valley; and second, an equally vibrantly orange bird, high in a tree in Regina's Wascana Park.

Baltimore Orioles summer and breed here, but so far, the specialized oriole feeder we bought is not doing its job: Not a single oriole has been sighted in or near our yard.

I was startled when this bird landed on a post beside me;
such a brilliant colour!  © SB

What is this bird? A Baltimore Oriole
Location: In the Qu'Appelle Valley, on the road from Rte 99 over to the little church near Craven, Saskatchewan. 

Photo date:  May 25, 2012. 

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Mountain Bluebird in the Valley

Mountain Bluebird on fence
beside its nestbox  © SB

On the weekend, I saw two nest boxes in the valley with active pairs of Mountain Bluebirds hovering nearby.

A rarity, yes, as most boxes along the Qu'Appelle east of Craven are busily occupied by tree swallows.

And oh, the loveliness of this tiny bird!

Mountain Bluebirds are so vividly blue — and so amazingly easy to pass by without even seeing.

I'm fascinated by how colours that on close examination look vivid and distinct blend to invisibly into the surroundings.

But then again, perhaps we rarely look at what surrounds us.

I feel honoured to know these bright, impossibly possible Mountain Bluebirds exist, and somewhat sad to realize it took me 15 year in Saskatchewan to find them.

At the nestbox  © SB

What is this?  Mountain Bluebird

Location: Near the little church across the valley from Craven, Saskatchewan.

Photo date: May 19, 2012.  

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Black-Crowned Night Heron near Craven SK

Black-Crowned Night Heron, in marsh east of Craven  © SB 

Along Highway 99, East of Craven, Saskatchewan: One of the biggest and most surprising birds I've seen is this Black-Crowned Night Heron. It was lurking in the newly renovated (thanks to this springs' floods) marsh along Highway 99, east of Craven. 

And yes, this is supposed to be a primarily nocturnal bird — but clearly one that doesn't follow all the rules, as it was only 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. — close to our bright prairie noon. 

This bird is huge — more penguin-sized than anything else. It's also very good at hiding — although perhaps not quite as good as it hopes it is... 

I'd stopped along the gravel shoulder to look at a Great Blue Heron that was hanging out further into the marsh, and it wasn't until after that heron flew away that I noticed this one lurking behind a clump of reeds. 

Flower note: They're too blurry to identify, but from the bright pink colour, the flowers in the top photo with the Night Heron may be Water Smartweed. 

You can't see me! © SB 

What is this? Black-Crowned Night Heron, a very large bird. 
Location: Along Highway 99, East of Craven, yes, Saskatchewan. 

Photo Date: September 4, 2011. 

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