Western Bluebird

There are bluebird houses on either side of Wardlow in Areas II and III of the Regional Park.  As I was riding back on the trail heading home these brilliant flashes of blue kept catching my eye. And bugs.  There were a bunch of Western Bluebirds perched in the trees in the meadow, swooping down and nabbing flies out of the air, occasionally darting in and out of blue and white bird houses conveniently hung thereabouts.  Just amazing to see in the afternoon sun on a warm spring day.  I guess there's a reason we don't call it the drab brown bird of happiness.

Female and male Western Bluebirds, taken in Areas II and III of the regional park on April 1 and 2, 2010, both at around 3:30 p.m., with Nikon D5000, 55-200 lens.  Identified in the Birds of California guide, where they conveniently appear on the cover.