I think he caught a beautiful Tiger Moth : )

I think I'm right in saying that this handsome male Mountain Bluebird caught a beautiful Tiger Moth : ) I would love to have seen the moth before it was caught - it would have made a gorgeous macro, of something I don't think I have ever seen before.

In Bluebirds, the blue colour is produced by the structure of the feather - there is no blue pigment. "Tiny air pockets in the barbs of feathers can scatter incoming light, resulting in a specific, non-iridescent color. Blue colors in feathers are almost always produced in this manner. Examples include the blue feathers of Bluebirds, Indigo Buntings, Blue Jay's and Steller's Jays."

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_Bluebird/id

www.jstor.org/discover/pgs/index?id=10.2307/4077277&i...

I have missed so many of the birding walks (and botany walks) this year, There is just one more birding walk left, this week - and I may not be able to make it - and then they come to an end till the end of August/beginning of September. I did manage to get out on the afternoon walk four days ago, on 12 June 2016, and it was very enjoyable, as was a stop at the Good Earth cafe afterwards : ) Will add our leaders' final list of species seen - thanks for a great walk Janet, Bernie and Stephen!:

FFCPPSoc. Birding West end of South Glenmore Park, Calgary. 1:15-4:15 PM. Sun. June 12/16. Gusting West winds 30 - 40 Km/hr, 21 to 23C, Sunny skies.

1. Great Blue Heron - 1
2. Swainson's Hawk - 1 seen by BD pre-walk
3. Franklin's Gull - 60
4. Great Horned Owl - 2 juveniles
5. Downy Woodpecker - 4 (including pair seen at nest sight feeding young)
6. Eastern Phoebe - 2
7. Least Flycatcher - 4 heard
8. Red-eyed Vireo - 4 heard
9. American Crow - 7
10. Tree Swallow - 3
11. Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 including one flying into nest
12. White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
13. House Wren - 3 heard
14. American Robin - 1
15. Veery - 2 heard
16. Cedar Waxwing - 3
17. Yellow Warbler - 6 (5 heard, 1 seen)
18. Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1 heard
19. Clay-coloured Sparrow - 4
20. White-throated Sparrow - 2 heard
21. Red-winged Blackbird - 13
22. Brown-headed Cowbird - 5
23. American Goldfinch - 4
24. House Sparrow - 1

White-tailed Deer - 1
Least Chipmunk - 1
Red Squirrel - 1
Swallow-tailed Butterfly - 8

As usual on our birding walks, I take very few photos, so after this walk, I decided I would drive to a wetland in SW Calgary to check on the Red-necked Grebes. The light was harsh and I had to look into the sun and couldn't even tell if there were any babies. Obviously the wrong time of day to go there.

From there, I decided to go SW of the city and check on Bluebirds, Snipe and maybe even a Great Gray Owl if I was very lucky. Only stopped at one Bluebird box and the parents were busy bringing insects to feed their babies. Every now and then, a baby would peer out of the small hole, so I know it won't be long till they fledge. I love the moth that Dad caught in this photo. An American Robin flew to the fence post next to the male Bluebird at one point, as if to ask for its photo to be taken, too. What a sight to see the two birds together - brilliant blue and bright red.

Driving along one road to search for an owl, I noticed a truck pulled over in the distance. I always slow right down when I see a vehicle stopped, just in case it is a photographer taking photos of something interesting. I never want to spook a bird or animal and spoil a photographer's fun. I was so focused on the truck, looking to see if there was a driver pointing a camera, that at first I didn't notice the person standing the other side of the road OR the owl sitting on the fence! When I realized it was a friend, I pulled over, got out and took a few photos. I don't know if this was one of the two Great Grays that I had seen within the last 10 days or so. It is possible either way.

Also spotted two distant Bobolinks chasing each other and then disappearing - no chance for a photo. That is, until yesterday evening! I was SO thrilled to find them (maybe 5?)! These birds are rare in Alberta and are much sought after by birders. I was unable to go and check on the Bluebirds the previous evening, as I had dropped off my car ready to be serviced yesterday. I collected it in time - $1,300 later! - to go for a drive. So glad I went, as luck and timing were both on my side. The Bobolinks were on the far side of the road and I managed to get just a few distant, poor shots before a truck came along and off they flew. I drove down the road and turned around, hoping to see them again, but they didn't reappear. I posted one shot this morning and will post a second, slightly better photo soon. I was just happy to get any kind of photo as a record of this special sighting. I'll add a previously posted photo of one I was lucky enough to see two years ago, on 27 June 2014, in a comment box below.