I photograph the Eastern Bluebirds nesting in my yard each year. On May 1, 2020, I photographed a female bringing a caterpillar to her young.
It was a simple yard scene, but it showed the kind of steady work nesting birds do all day.
Eastern Bluebird Feeding a Nestling a Caterpillar
This Eastern Bluebird was feeding a nestling during the spring nesting season. She had a caterpillar in her bill, which made the moment stand out.
The photo shows a clear part of nesting behavior. Adult bluebirds make repeated trips to feed their young. Each visit can last only a moment, so I had to stay ready.
This pair nested in my yard, where I photograph Eastern Bluebirds each year. I also use a nest box setup that gives the birds open space and keeps me at a respectful distance.
For more detail on that setup, see my post: My Eastern Bluebird Photography Setup.
Photographing Bluebirds From the Pickup Window
I photographed this bird from my pickup. My Canon EOS 7D Mark II and Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM lens rested on a bean bag draped over the open window.
That support helped keep the lens steady. It also let me work from a familiar position without moving around the nest box.
Camera settings:
- Aperture: f/7.1
- ISO: 1250
- Shutter speed: 1/320 sec.
- Exposure bias: +1/3 EV
- Focal length: 500 mm
Why This Nesting Moment Stays With Me
I like this photo because it shows a small part of the bluebird’s daily work. The caterpillar, the nestling, and the quick feeding visit all come together in one frame.
These are the moments I enjoy most in yard wildlife photography. They are close to home, but they still show wild behavior as it happens.