Do certain bird elicit an involuntary emotional response from you when you see them? Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) invariably make me feel happy—I can’t help but smile when I see one of these “bluebirds of happiness,” like the ones that I spotted last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
I have wonderful memories of watching The Wizard of Oz as a child and many times since then. One of my favorite moments in the movie is when Dorothy (Judy Garland) sings “Over the Rainbow.” I love to think of a place where the dreams that you dare really do come true, somehow symbolized by bluebirds flying.
“Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why, oh, why can’t I?
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why, oh, why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can’t I?”
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can’t I?”
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I think of that song as well, Mike. Beautiful capture! The Eastern Bluebird is Missouri’s state bird~along with a Cardinal, two of my favorites of all. I included the Eastern Bluebird in my children’s book about Missouri.
Thanks for your beautiful comments. The cardinal is also one of my favorites–a welcome splash of color in the midst of the cold, gray days of winter.
You’re so welcome, Mike.
A favorite song to sing, and the bluebirds singing their sweet trills often alert me to their presence. Nice captures, Mike!
Very nice Mike! Always fun to see & photograph Blue Birds!
What a wonderful memory. Thanks for including the lyrics, though most of us certainly remember the words. I couldn’t help singing it in my head as well. 🌈 your photos are beautiful!
Still one of Benjamin’s favorite birds! I suppose the song would not have become such a hit were the birds actually named “Orange-Bluebirds”, though it can be done if one sings it quickly…I tried and succeeded! I must say that the less colorful females do appear content to be photographed whilst the handsome male looks a bit perturbed. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!
Thanks. As a result of Benjamin’s comments in the past, I can’t help but think of these birds as Orange-bluebirds. As for the attitude of the male Bluebirds, you’ve described pretty well what the photos show. Thanks, as always, for your wonderfully supportive comments, and your reference to Benjamin. He continues to serve as a kind of reminder to me to focus on recapturing the energy, enthusiasm, curiosity, and sensitivity that many of us had as a child, but somehow lost as we became adults.
That film has inspired a lot of children. My sweetheart loves it and the song. A robin makes me feel all’s right with the world for a moment, even when it’s not (the European kind) and a kestrel hovering brings a fiercer kind of joy (G. M. Hopkin’s Windhover). We don’t have bluebirds here.
Not seeing these around new location. Maybe I need to put out mealworms?
I never know how widespread bluebirds are–maybe you can attract them. 🙂