bluebirds

Blue on Blue

July 10, 2013 by Melodye Shore

Three deaths in recent days. Three of our dearest loved ones, gone forever from this earthly plane. Hard as it is to comprehend, those are the cold hard facts of it. And so it is that I've been absent here of late. I'm burrowing deep into my reserves, looking inward.

I'm coming up for air every now and then, scanning the horizon for the narrowest sliver of sunlight, because I know in my heart of hearts that there are blue skies just ahead.

Joy in the morning.

I've taken that promise to heart for the whole of my life, and I've never once been disappointed. Dreams deferred, perhaps, but never denied.

Blue on blue…I'm peering through the camera lens, trying to see past the heartache.

Agapanthus

Western Bluebird

Penstemon

Nurture Photography Challenge: BLUE

In the Author’sTent: The Bluebird Man, Part II

July 2, 2013 by Melodye Shore

As promised, here's Part II of my conversation with wildlife conservationist Neil Paprocki of Wild Lens, Inc. about his soon-to-be-released documentary, Bluebird Man. Quick, grab yourself an iced tea and chill with us awhile!

Pretend you’re responding to this next question via Twitter. In 130 characters, please introduce yourself and describe the work you do with Wild Lens, Inc.

I am a conservation biologist working for a non-profit focused on using film to educate people about wildlife conservation issues.

Bluebird Man, Neil Paprocki's latest project.

There seems to be a special bond between humans and bluebirds. Can you explain why that is, and how it came to be?

I care very deeply about the bonds and interactions between human and wildlife communities. With over 7 billion people on earth, we have such a huge impact on wildlife communities that these interactions will be critically important to saving and preserving our precious wildlife. We can’t help but affect the wildlife communities around us, and while this interaction is often negative, it can also be very positive for both humans and species like bluebirds.

Bluebird populations across North America, but especially on the east coast, declined dramatically from 1920 to 1970. What happened next was something truly amazing. Thanks in part to a 1970s National Geographic article, the North American Bluebird Society was formed and began providing bluebirds with additional nesting habitat by constructing nest boxes. Some people took this business of creating more habitat for bluebirds very seriously. As a consequence of this a deep bond was struck between humans and bluebirds.

Bluebird Hatchling

One such person was Alfred Larson of Boise, Idaho [aka Bluebird Man]. After reading that National Geographic article, Al decided to help by putting up a few bluebird boxes around his house. That was 1978. Fast-forward 35 years to today and Al is still monitoring over 300 bluebird boxes all across southwest Idaho at the crisp young age of 91! Over his 35-year bluebird career, he has banded and raised over 27,000 nestling bluebirds, an astonishing number.

What makes bluebird feathers so intensely blue?

Most bird feathers receive their color from pigments that are in part produced by the food they eat (i.e. carotenoids produce yellow/orange colors). The blue in bluebird feathers however, is a rather rare color in nature and is not produced by pigments. Instead, the blue color is a ‘structural’ color produced by light reflecting off small structures in the feathers creating the blue color we see with our eyes.

Male Western Bluebird wing showing his structural blue coloring

Male Western Bluebird wing shows his structural blue coloring

How can I identify North American bluebirds from other birds with blue feathers?

There are three species of bluebirds in North America: Eastern, Western, and Mountain Bluebirds. These are the only species of bluebirds found in the world, and they are unique to the North American continent. Mountain Bluebirds are the easiest to identify, as they are a brilliant sky blue that deepens in color from the belly to the back. Eastern and Western Bluebirds look very similar and are more of a royal blue with a rufous, or chestnut colored, chest. The biggest difference between the two is that the chestnut colored chest of the Eastern Bluebird extends all the way up the chest to the neck of the bird, while the Western Bluebird has a royal blue neck. Other species of North American birds with blue feathers include Jays, Buntings, Warblers, Swallows, Kingfishers, Grosbeaks, Kestrels, and Merlins.

Male Western Bluebird

Are Bluebirds a threatened or endangered species?

Even though bluebirds are not a threatened or endangered species they can still use our help. Bluebirds are secondary cavity nesters, they don’t make holes in trees, but depend on other animals such as woodpeckers to create holes in which to nest. During the mid-1900s, bluebird populations declined precipitously because of a decrease in nesting cavities, habitat loss, climatic events, and invasive species such as House Sparrows. Conservation efforts helped reverse the declines, but these birds still need our help to maintain their current population levels.

I’ve noticed several Bluebird boxes in my own neighborhood, and many Bluebird organizations are encouraging people to buy or construct them. Is this a fad, or…?

This is no fad. People have been building bluebird boxes for a long time. Things really picked up in the late 1970s after that amazingly popular National Geographic article discussed bluebird population declines and what people could do about it. The solution: put out boxes with small holes in the front to encourage bluebirds to nest in them. For almost 40 years people have been constructing these nest boxes and continue to do so today. As long as people still have a love for these birds, then the monitoring of nest boxes will continue to aid bluebird populations.

Alfred Larson (aka Bluebird Man) checks a bluebird nest

If I place a bluebird box in my own backyard or neighborhood park, what responsibilities does that entail?

This is a very important question as placing a Bluebird box in your own yard entails A LOT of responsibility. First and foremost, you must consider whether or not your yard is good bluebird habitat. If it is not, then placing a box in your yard will likely result in an empty box, or use by other bird species. Second, bluebirds have a variety of nest predators such as raccoons and snakes, and care must be taken to place and construct the nest box in such a way as to be inaccessible to nest predators. Lastly, several non-native bird species such as House Sparrows and European Starlings are aggressive nest competitors to bluebirds. However, boxes can be constructed in such a way as to minimize use by these invasive birds.
Once you have placed your nest box in a well thought out location, regular check-ins and maintenance are a must. Nest boxes should be monitored weekly at the most, to watch for nesting progress and to make sure introduced species like House Sparrows are not using your box. Also, bluebirds will not clean out old nests from the boxes themselves after a breeding season. If you want your box to be used year-after-year, then you must clean out the box every fall or winter to make sure there is room for the bluebirds to nest in it the following year. Much more information can be found about setting up your own bluebird nest box or bluebird trail on the North American Bluebird Society website.

Thank you so much for fielding my questions! I admire your conservation efforts, and appreciate your willingness to take time away from your Kickstarter Campaign to help educate us about these beautiful winged creatures.

Female bluebird in flight

Want to know more about Neil Paprocki's work with WildLens, Inc.? Migrate over to Part One of our interview, check out his Facebook page and/or follow his blog.

NOTE: You can purchase a Bluebird Man DVD before the film is broadcast on television via the crowd-sourced funding website Kickstarter. Says Neil: "This will provide myself and fellow producer Matthew Podolsky the funds necessary to complete the film and make it look as beautiful as possible to help inspire others to continue helping these birds that are so near-and-dear to our hearts." There are various ‘backer levels’, but if you contribute $20 or more before July 31st, you will receive a copy of the DVD when the film is completed.

All photos ©Neil Paprocki of Wild Lens, Inc. Used with permission.

In the Author’s Tent: The Bluebird Man, Part I

July 1, 2013 by Melodye Shore

The bluebird of happiness is perched on my shoulder this morning, singing his little heart out. Why? Because today's visitor to the Authors' Tent is wildlife conservation biologist Neil Paprocki, aka Director of the soon-to-be-released documentary, Bluebird Man.

As you might expect from someone who loves his work, Neil's got lots to say about the subject. And as a newbie bluebird watcher (witness) I'm all ears! So I'm splitting this into a two-part interview. Be sure to come back tomorrow for more Q & A's–accompanied by photos!

Neil, I think most of us have heard the expression, “The bluebird of happiness.” Do you know anything about its origins? Or if not, can you hazard a guess?

I am embarrassed to admit that this is the first time I have heard the expression, “the bluebird of happiness.” While I know nothing of its origins, I would think it has something to do with the feeling of joy and happiness people get when they see a bright bluebird. I know I get this feeling every time I see a bluebird.

Female Mountain Bluebird takes flight

What inspired you to make a movie about bluebirds?

The story of one man inspired me to make this film: Alfred Larson. His singular 35-year commitment to this one group of birds shows what a powerful role they can play in shaping peoples lives. Bluebirds are indeed powerful symbols, and the evidence is in the four different states that call bluebirds their State Bird. For Idaho and Nevada it is the Mountain Bluebird, while for New York and Missouri it is the Eastern Bluebird. Maybe someone in the west can contact their state legislature and convince them to change their state bird to the Western Bluebird so we have all three species represented!

The other inspiration for making this film about bluebirds is to give hope to other wildlife conservation projects. We hear so much in the news about species declining and being on the verge of extinction, and there doesn’t seem to be much that we can do about it. Bluebird populations declined dramatically in the mid-20th century, but have since moved towards recovery thanks in large part to the role played by hundreds of citizen scientists. This is a story that other conservation projects can draw inspiration from: there is hope out there!

Alfred Larson and Bluebird Man director Neil Paprocki

What’s it like to be a Bluebird Man? (Describe your typical day in the field, including equipment and attire.)

When I head out to monitor bluebirds with 91-year old Idaho legend Alfred Larson, I make sure to bring two things: my camera and my binoculars. I might also bring some food and water, but only because my body requires it of me. I’m usually dressed in my field clothes consisting of Chaco flip-flops, nylon zip-off pants to kick aside those rough shrubs, and a t-shirt. We usually leave Boise, Idaho around 8am to make the hour and a half drive out to the remote Owyhee Mountains of southwest Idaho. Once we arrive at the first bluebird box, the day really begins.

Male Mountain Bluebird delivers food to a female inside a nest box

It is here that we being to peer in on the day-to-day life of these beautiful birds, and learn more about how they survive in the harsh mountainous conditions of the Great Basin desert. We are monitoring mainly Mountain Bluebirds that acquired their name from the rugged terrain they inhabit. Why live in the mountains where harsh weather conditions can sometimes persist for days on end? They do so to take advantage of the insect boom that occurs every June. Insects carry the precious protein and fat necessary to maintain rapidly growing nestlings that sport a voracious appetite. Our day is spent checking nest boxes for eggs, nestlings, signs of predation, and the occasional adult bluebird that we catch inside a box. The curious and sometimes aggressive adult bluebirds often perch nearby while we check their box, conveniently posing for the occasional photograph.

How can people get involved in bluebird preservation projects and activities such as yours?

You can get involved in bluebird preservation projects by contacting your local Audubon or Bluebird Society chapter. You can visit the Audubon Society and North American Bluebird Society websites for your local affiliates contact information. Go and check out another person’s bluebird project before deciding if this is something you really want to do. But I will warn you, it is very easy to get hooked and addicted to watching bluebirds! [NOTE: I can attest to that!]

Mountain Bluebird nestlings

When can we expect to see your movie in our area?

I expect to complete Bluebird Man by late December 2013. We have received a letter of support from Idaho Public Television to broadcast the half-hour film, and we are hoping for an early 2014 broadcast in Idaho. I will also be pursuing a regional Pacific Northwest and national Public Television broadcast. I’m hopeful this film will resonate with enough people that we can attract a wide audience!

Can’t wait until then to watch Bluebird Man? You can purchase a DVD before the film is broadcast on television by contributing to our film through the crowd-sourced funding website Kickstarter. This will provide myself, and fellow producer Matthew Podolsky, the funds necessary to complete the film and make it look as beautiful as possible to help inspire others to continue helping these birds that are so near-and-dear to our hearts. There are various ‘backer levels’, but if you contribute $20 or more before July 31st, you will receive a copy of the DVD when the film is completed.

Wings or fins?
Wings. I wouldn’t be much of a ‘bird guy’ if I said fins.

Snow or sun?
Snow. I have always been a cold weather person and while I enjoy summer, winter is probably my favorite season.

Chicken or the Egg?
Egg. My favorite meal of the day is breakfast and eggs are the best part of that meal.

Computer or Camera?
Wow, that is a tough one. How about a computer with a built in camera, or a camera with a built in computer! Okay, okay. Two years ago a might have said computer, but now that I have entered the photography and film world I think my answer has switched to camera.

Tweetie Bird or Road Runner?
Road Runner. This is an ode to my days of working in the desert southwest with the endangered California condor.

Want to know more about Neil Paprocki's work with WildLens, Inc.? Check out his Facebook page and follow his blog. And…if you're inspired to create your own "bluebird trail," come back for Part II of our interview tomorrow. [Update: Part II is posted here .)