Sialis
67 creative works found
-
When I took this photo, I had a split second to do so and did not have time to mentally realize that a vertical shot would have been better. I’ve wondered for a while how I could improve this image. Then, a photo rater named Eyal Nahmias suggested adding layers to give the bluebird more head room. I took his advice and came up with this newly-recreated version of Bluebird with Skink. I think it gives the image a fresh, new, more spacious look. Hope you like it.
-
This is a photo I took from this past nesting season; a fledgling bluebird landed on a branch near my patio and was chirping merrily. Young bluebirds are speckled and big-eyed and very curious about the new world they’re discovering daily since leaving the nest. They love to frequent the birdbaths and just hang out with their siblings while Mom and Pops start nest number two or three of the season. They’re just learning to find their own food, so frequently they still look for handouts from their parents. It’s not uncommon to see a young bluebird with its beak opened in wide expectancy when Mom or Pops lands nearby.
-
I watched a major battle today between a male Eastern bluebird and a dominant male sparrow. This beautiful young male was fighting gallantly for his turf, but I don’t know what the outcome will be. Sparrows have superior bills and don’t give up easily. It’s a shame they rival bluebirds for nesting boxes as they don’t have to have this kind of nest; they can pretty much survive anywhere. The bluebirds had already constructed the nest, but the female had not yet laid her eggs. That’s a good thing as I’ve seen sparrows enter a nest and destroy the eggs. Let’s hope for a good outcome!
-
This bluebird nest has two tiny eggs (not much larger than dimes); the mama will lay five eggs and then begin to incubate them. She will have three clutches of babies throughout the spring and summer mating season. Such fun to watch! Happy Easter to all my Red Bubble friends!
-
The tenderness in this little bluebird mama’s face as she watches at the doorway for hubby’s return with grub for their babies speaks to me of Mother Love, one of the most sublime forces on the planet. But her gentleness is only one facet of her nature. Not only does she nurture the little ones in the nest while waiting patiently for her mate, but she also emerges as a fierce huntress, going out into the world and bringing back to the nestlings grasshoppers, crickets, worms, and whatever sustenance she can find for her growing brood. Mother Love is tender but tough, gentle yet strong, hovering close to the “home fires” but speading her wings and facing the dangers of the outside world, too.
-
Day three, baby Eastern bluebirds. Richmond, Virginia.
-
I’ve been experimenting with overlays and did this one of a male and female bluebird, a pair which I seldom have an opportunity to photograph together. I put the two separate images together and in the words of my good British friend, Jesika, I “fiddled with the twiddly bits” and came up with this version. It reminded me of the line from the “Night Before Christmas” when “visions of sugarplums danced in my head”; hence, the title.
-
I thought this would be a nice card to illustrate the old cliche, “A woman’s work is never done,” and to honor women everywhere who work hard at home, on the job, within the family circle, in the community, in the church, in public service. This energetic little Eastern bluebird female exemplifies an honorable work ethic in her diligence at nest-building. (Note the bedraggled look of poor little Mama’s feathers; temperatures were in the 90s and she was really feeling the heat and humidity! Just about the same concept as a housewife sweating over the stove or the ironing board!)
-
A female Eastern bluebird on her nesting box is a good way to illustrate the old adage, “Be it ever so humble there’s no place like home!”
-
Daddy Bluebird took some time off this afternoon and let Mama do the hunting. He spent a long while just sitting on a branch, looking at his surroundings, and striking one impressive pose after another. He was quite the show-off.
-
This male Eastern bluebird was keeping a very sharp outlook near the nesting box. While Mama hunted and fed the babies, he was looking intently at his surroundings, chasing away squirrels and making sure nothing came near his babies. I love to watch him watching the skies, the ground, and everything in between. He’s got eyes like a little hawk! I know he sees me in hiding, but he’s gotten used to me now and pretty much tolerates my presence so long as I don’t make any abrupt movements. Today, I talked to him, and he cocked his tiny head in my direction, curious about the being behind the camouflage curtains.
-
Eastern Bluebird perched on a tree stump. Canon 40D, Canon 70mm-200mm f/4 L series lens.
-
It’s too cold to take pictures today so I’m going through some old shots; came across this one, a close cousin to one I posted months ago, but I couldn’t resist sharing Mr. Beautiful with everyone in this different pose.
-
Bluebirds start building their nests in mid February here in southern Louisiana; one pair has finished construction and the female is now incubating five lovely blue eggs. These birds are such little beauties; I never tire of watching them.
-
Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird work as a team when feeding their babies. Both are avid hunters, going wherever the pickings can be found. In this case, Dad’s serving up cricket casserole while Mom’s whipping up some spider souffle. Babies aren’t particular; they eat just about anything. I love watching this pair appear at the nestbox with a wide variety of fare. Dad tends to serve things on a larger scale while Mom offers daintier portions. I saw him with multiple caterpillars dangling from his bill; quite a feat to catch and carry but he does it expertly! It’s very rare that both male and female land on a given spot together so I spliced two photos together in order to convey the idea of their concerted efforts on behalf of their little family.
-
A male Eastern bluebird with wing outspread is a lovely sight to see.
-
I took this photo of the male Eastern bluebird bringing food to the nestlings earlier this mating season. The first clutch of babies fledged successfully, but the second clutch met with a harsher reality. Something (house sparrows, I suspect) raided the nest and killed all the babies. I was devastated; I know it’s part of nature’s cycle, its nastier face, but it’s still hard to see beautiful healthy babies killed in the nest, just before they were ready to take to the skies. I have posted this photo of their Daddy, in memory of five little beauties that never saw the big world outside the nesting box. I hope this incident won’t discourage any further nesting in my yard.
-
Best if viewed larger.
-
Please view larger.
-
This female Eastern bluebird is feeling the effects of the unusually oppressive heat in southern Louisiana during one of the hottest Junes on record. She is industrious and ever vigilant over her nestlings, though, and makes innumerable trips to and from the nest box, hunting for spiders and bugs for her hungry babies and delivering the goods fresh from the fields. She took a little break in the action during the mid morning hours and rested from her labors, looking straight at me to make sure I wouldn’t advance any closer than her normal comfort zone. The Eastern bluebird female has a dusky blue back, a light orangey breast, large expressive eyes, and a long black bill. Not as vibrant as her mate, she amazes me because she seems much bolder than he is. She approaches the nesting box when I’m close by, but he doesn’t dare. These birds have been nesting in my yard for many years now, and it’s a joy to watch their activity especially during the mating season when they are more visible. They are very fond of water and love a good splash in the bird bath. They do not eat from my birdseed feeders, preferring live insects and berries as their main fare. Their scientific name is Sialia Sialis. The bluebirds usually have three clutches per mating season. The pair inhabiting my boxes this year successfully fledged five babies; the second nesting met with disaster when a house sparrow raided the box and killed all the babies; this is their third nesting. Only two of the eggs were productive. With just a pair of nestlings in the box, it’s a bit easier for mom and dad to care for them. The poor little parents are beginning to look ragged, though. The incessant demands are taking a toll on them, especially in this horrible heat. I keep the birdbaths filled with fresh water and they frequent the little pools daily.
-
This is an older image of a male Eastern bluebird which I’ve enhanced with background work. Just playing around on a Saturday morning!
-
The Eastern bluebirds are amazing me this mating season. They are into nest number FOUR! They usually have three a season, but one of their broods met with foul play so I suppose they’re making up for it with an extra long summer of child rearing! The middle of August is extremely hot in southern Louisiana, so these little troopers are really looking ragged from all the hunting and delivering of goods to the nesting box. Here’s one of the pair, I think the female, with a grub worm for the nestlings. For some reason, their plumage is not as brilliant as in years past so it’s kind of hard to tell the male from the female as they are both looking pretty washed out! Can’t blame them with all that flurry of activity in this hot, humid climate. Eastern bluebird is officially sialia sialis; they are cavity dwellers. Their numbers were dangerously reduced due to clearing of woods and thickets for development. Thanks to the American Bluebird Society and the introduction of nesting boxes, they have made a wonderful comeback. The bluebirds have been nesting in my yard for over ten years now, and I love them dearly. They make excellent neighbors! They first started in a box well away from my house, but they have taken a liking to one right on my patio, so our encounters are frequent and close-up!
RedBubble is a great place to find art, design, photos and writing from over 80,000 talented people.
You can buy their stuff
On stunning greeting cards, awesome t-shirts or beautiful prints to hang on your walls.
Risk Free Returns
It’s really simple. If you’re not happy with your purchase for any reason, we’ll fix it.
About RedBubble
Since February 2007 we’ve shipped over 295,900 items to more than 70 countries around the world.
Join In
Sign up for your free account, upload your work, join some groups and share your creative genius with the world.