I left Portuguese Cove at 6:30AM, December 10, for the drive to Cape Sable Island on the first leg of my Mountain Bluebird loop. I found two Mountain Bluebirds in the thickets south of the church at The Hawk. After a time they moved closer to the church access road so I asked a home owner for permission to go in to her back yard to photograph the birds. Although I received permission she was visibly shaken by all the trespassing that had occurred in her back yard. The shoddy reputation of some birders and photographers is well earned.

The Mountain Bluebirds very closely resembled drab adult Western Bluebirds. Some of this resemblance is attributable to the terrible backlighting.

Mountain Bluebird Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Mountain Bluebird

After visiting Cape Sable Island I continued the loop by driving the western shore to Mavillette and the Cape View Motel. I found the Mountain Bluebird immediately and this time I had better light. I saw it catch and devour a large caterpillar. This tough mountain and prairie bird of western Canada should have no problem surviving in the south of Nova Scotia.

Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebird ...and my favourite is:

Mountain Bluebird

I arrived home at 4:45PM just as full dark was approaching, a full and succesfull day.