Well, heck, so it ain’t on my shoulder, but I think I heard that line in a song sometime ago. Besides, I wanted to have a catchy title to get your attention. This Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) was actually sitting on tree branch about 40 feet away from the car. It was taken two days ago during our little trip to Spring Creek Park.
This is one of the few photos that I got that day that I was really able to get in exact focus with that 500mm and 2X tele-converter. If you remember, I told you that I had to use manual focus. Now, remember, at my age, I am certainly not new to manual focus. In my earlier days of photography, I don’t think auto-focus was invented yet. But nevertheless, when you are dealing with long lenses, in the 1,000mm range, manual focus is very delicate.
In this case, the bird wasn’t too far off and was well lit, except for the shadow over it’s face. If only it would have moved about six inches to it’s left, it would have been perfect. But birds have a will of their own, so I was stuck with the pose. For a stable support, I put my Puffin’ Pad on the window sill, turned off the car engine, and took my time turning the focusing ring. Fortunately, the bluebird was comfortable, and in no hurry to fly off. He also was in no hurry to move those six inches. I took about 12 images, with that shadow in various positions across it’s face. This photograph was the one that minimizes it the best.
Eastern Bluebird
Photo EXIF data: Canon 7D, 500mm lens w/2X tele-converter. 1/640 sec. @ f8, plus 0.7 EV, ISO 400. Aperture priority.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
You came to write an interesting piece here. Blue bird is rocking .
Thank you very much, Sanat.
The colors on this little guy are amazing!
Thanks you very much, David.
That bluebird is sitting like no one is watching. A mind of his own. 🙂 Great photo. Love the stories behind them!
Thanks for the great comment, Martina. He certainly wasn’t paying attention to me. 🙂
Good shot of that bluebird, Bob. In all of the time I was in San Angelo I never saw one, but after reading your blog regularly it is obvious that I missed a lot of good birding spots in lieu of hanging out in the blind at the park. I’m certainly making my list now for when I return 🙂
I’m not going to say I told you so, but…………:-)
Next time you’re in town, definetly get together with me, and we’ll add a bunch of lifers to your list.
Thanks for commenting, Jim
The song you’re thinking of is “Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly” and I think it comes from The Sound of Music?
It’s a beautiful picture. I don’t think we have bluebirds in Australia, but we have blue wrens and the make is a bright, startling blue – beautiful but I am yet to take a picture.
Coincidentally I too have a bluebird story half written but I’ll save it for awhile!
It’s from Wizard of Oz – sorry!
No, it’s from a Disney move, “Sount of the South” The song is Zippety-do-dah. Check this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah
Oh! We are thinking of two different songs – ha!
Is it snowing on your blog!?! Way cool.
My blog tomorrow will be of bluebirds… they came to eat the sumac from the branches I stuck in a planter on the deck this snowy morning.
Yes. You can make it snow, too. Go to your dashboard > settings > turn on snow. 🙂
I’ll look forward to your bluebird post.
(sing along with me) “just a bluebird on my shoulder………..” 🙂
I DID start singing it as I read it the first time. My eldest watched a disney tape featuring clips of different songs from disney movies and “zippity doo da” was one of them. Bob she watched that video everyday for a solid year. (:
Seeing your photos I have made my 2012 resolutions…. 1. sign up for the local photo class and 2. get my tripod out of its case.
What a co-incidence about her singing that song. 🙂
When you start the class, If I can help “just give a little whistle”. Holy cow, I think that is in a another song. 🙂
I personally love the shadow..it seems to enhance his expression..great shot..
Thanks, Syl. You make me feel better. 🙂
There are times I think the birds are out to cause us as much frustration as they can, like the bluebird and the shadow. I had a very similar experience this week, a female cardinal up in a tree and very close to me, but of course with a dark shadow of a branch marring what would have been a great photo. She stayed in one place long enough for me to find a spot where the shadow didn’t fall on her, and as I was raising the camera, off she went. It’s a great photo even with the slight shadow.
Aha! I see that you feel my pain. 🙂 It can be frustrating,indeed.
Thanks for the comment, David.
Oh, that was not the blue bird i was expecting.. lovely though.. c
Celima, what was the bird that you were expecting??
Here, in central illinois, we get a tiny neon light of a blue finch sized bird, he darts about for the shortest time (in the summer) and I do not know his name, he is bright bright deep totally blue.(if that makes any sense). c
Hmmm. I have no idea, but I am not familiar with bird of you area. I will do some research, because you know have me curious. 🙂
Hi Bob, great focus and pretty colors! I love bluebirds, but rarely see them here – even in spring. Thanks for posting!
Thanks, Karen, I really appreciate you. Too bad that you can’t see these lovely birds more often. 🙂
I love the way this bird is looking up. Cute! And amazing shot 🙂
Thank you very much, Nandini. I appreciate it. 🙂
Bob, you are the man! 🙂 Noticed that it’s snowing in San Angelo 🙂
Yeah, pretty neat, huh? 🙂
Thanks for the comment, H.J. 🙂
Nice shot Bob!
Thank you very much.