The Bluebird of Happiness

Always makes me smile!!

I have to admit - I just love Bluebirds. I try all kinds of things to get them to come to my yard - well almost. I put out dried mealworms for them (I have heard they like LIVE mealworms more, but frankly, I just can’t!!) I have lots of water for them (they just love taking baths) and other kinds of food out - especially when their kids are fledging. We have lots of trees with nice branches for them to sit on, too. If I were a Bluebird, I would love visiting here!

The males are bright blue while the females are duller - almost a blue gray. The kids are speckled. In the photo, below, a female is on the right.

And, here is Dad — pretty soaked — with 2 kids!

Here is your science lesson for the day — Bluebirds aren’t actually BLUE! Their color is created by the way light waves interact with the feathers and their arrangement of protein molecules - called keratin (I know, this is a little heavy.) You may actually find that Bluebird feathers actually look grey - if you find one on the ground. (https://www.si.edu/stories/when-blue-bird-not-blue)

It is not easy to catch Bluebirds hunting for bugs. But I lucked out. This fella caught a nice moth - probably for the kids and his wife!

I try to have different water sources for the birds. Many love my cement leaves (I did not make these but plan to try next summer.) This provides “still water” for the birds.

I have a small solar fountain in another water source. Some birds prefer moving water.

Bluebirds are just MAJESTIC!

All of the birds before this one are Eastern Bluebirds. We were in Wyoming (Yellowstone) a while back and spotted a flash of blue. We were so glad that this Mountain Bluebird sat still for a photo. (Note, the Mountain Bluebirds do not have the rusty color that the Eastern do.)

Bluebirds love baths - especially in the summer time. This was definitely a “splish splash” kind of time!

If you are interested, there is a song called “The Bluebird of Happiness”. This song was written by Sandar Harmati in 1934; words by Edward Heyman and Harry Parr-Davies. Performed and recorded by Jan Peerce in 1945. I will end off with the lyrics. I think they are just as appropriate today - as they were over 90 years ago. As the song suggests - look for happiness, head out and listen for that gorgeous Bluebird song!! Have a good week!!

SONG LYRICS - THE BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS

The beggar man and the mighty king are only different in name,
For they are treated just the same by fate.
Today a smile and tomorrow a tear, we never know what's in store.
So learn your lesson before it is too late.

So be like I, hold your head up high 'til you find the bluebird of happiness.
You will find greater peace of mind, knowing there's a bluebird of happiness.
And when he sings to you, though you're deep in blue
You will see a ray of light creep through
And so remember this, life is no abyss
Somewhere there's a bluebird of happiness.

The poet with his pen, the peasant with his plow,
It makes no different who you are, it's all the same somehow.
The king upon his throne, the jester at his feet,
the artist, the actress, the man on the street.

It's a life of smiles and a life of tears It's a life of hopes and a life of fears.
A blinding torrent of rain and a brilliant burst of sun,
A biting tearing pain and bubbling sparkling fun.
And no matter what you have, don't envy those you meet.
It's all the same, it's in the game, the bitter and the sweet.

And if things don't look so cheerful, just show a little fight.
Fore every bit of darkness, there's a little bit of light.
For every bit of hatred, there's a little bit of love.
Fore every cloudy morning, there's a midnight moon above.

So don't you forget, you must search 'til you find the bluebird.
You will find peace and contentment forever, if you will be like I.
Hold your head up high, 'til you see a ray of light appear.
And so remember this, life is no abyss
Somewhere there's a bluebird of happiness.