When these African Lovebirds started showing up in my back yard, I only really noticed the brighter colored birds. The bright greens with their reddish faces were like living flowers, moving splotches of color. And of course, when yellow bird and his progeny showed up, they were the brightest and most noticeable. I rarely paid attention to the softer shaded blues.
But I've spent a lot of time watching them this past month, and I've decided the blues are the best of the lot. They're not as bright, true. In the shade of the tree they can appear grayish and dull. But when the sun hits them just right, or when they turn and show their underbellies, they reveal a lovely shade of turquoise blue. It's subtle. A gentler coloring, layered and faceted.
I have hundreds and hundreds of pictures now, but since I'm having to shoot through a window, most of them aren't worth sharing. And birds move so fast! I don't see how other birders can take such beautiful shots. Of course, I'm still using my little digital, no telephoto lens. I have a "sports" setting on the camera, which made me laugh, but maybe I should try that on these speedy birds.
And look who's lurking there again!
Again, I was focusing on the lovebird, didn't even notice that yellow-eyed fellow lurking in the background. He doesn't seem to be scaring anybody off though, in fact, he seems more timid than the other birds.
"Woke up this mornin'... "
Well, it's the first classic "blues" line that popped in my head.
:-)
Posted by: David | August 24, 2005 at 05:50 PM
would still need to see a better picture to positively ID, but i'd say your background bird is a thrasher -- perhaps a Curve-billed or Bendire's.
tg
Posted by: tony g | August 23, 2005 at 10:55 PM