Mountain bluebirds are protected under the federal migratory bird treaty act as well as Nevada state law. These gorgeous birds can be found at higher elevations in the summertime and in the lowlands and desert in the winter.
The powder-blue male Mountain Bluebird is among the most beautiful birds of the West. Living in more open terrain than the other two bluebirds, this species may nest in holes in cliffs or dirt banks when tree hollows are not available. It often seeks its food by hovering low over the grass in open fields. During the winter, Mountain Bluebirds often gather in large flocks, even by the hundreds, sometimes associating with Western Bluebirds.
The Nevada Federation of Women's Clubs, during the years 1930 and 1931, by vote of the citizens and school children of the state, selected the mountain bluebird as their choice for the state bird of Nevada.
During the 1967 session of the legislature, Clark County Assemblyman Stan Irwin introduced a bill to designate the Mountain Bluebird, (Sialia currucoides,) as the Nevada state bird. The bill passed both houses and was signed by the governor on April 4th, 1967.
The Mountain Bluebird is most likely to be confused with other bluebirds. Male Mountain Bluebirds lack any reddish coloration on their under parts unlike Eastern and Western Bluebirds. Females are more difficult to separate. Eastern Bluebirds have a brownish throat and white belly while Mountain Bluebirds have gray throats and bellies. Western Bluebirds are browner on the breast than Mountain Bluebirds and have thicker bills. Male Mountain Bluebirds might be confused with other all blue birds like Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks but these birds have much thicker, conical bills.
The mountain bluebird is six to seven inches in length. It has a small, pointed black bill and black legs and feet. The male is a deep sky blue above and a paler blue below with a white stomach. The female is a duller blue-gray on her wings with a gray throat, back and crown.
We all get busy from time to time, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy something delicious for dinner! With our recipe for Busy Day "Bubble Up" Bake, you can make a family-pleasing casserole in just 30 minutes. This creamy chicken casserole "bubbles up" to be so tasty!
- 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups cooked chopped chicken
- 2 cups chopped frozen broccoli, thawed
- 1/4 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- 1 (16.3-ounce) can refrigerated biscuits, each biscuit cut into thirds
- Preheat oven to 375º. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine soup, sour cream, 1-1/2 cups cheese, the salt, and pepper; mix well. Stir in chicken, broccoli, and bacon. Add biscuits and toss until evenly coated. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown.
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I just never did get the 'tooth gap' with her. Soooo unattractive! Could have been fixed! She has the $$ ! BTW, these pictures in order of her age. Her "personal life" is interesting too.
National Take a Hike Day on November 17th encourages us to get out there and hit the trails. With over 60,000 miles of trails in the National Trail System across the 50 states, there is no lack of opportunity to take a hike.
Some of those trails are hundreds of years old. For example, the oldest continuously used trail in the United States is Crawford Path in New Hampshire. The beginnings of the mountain path were cleared to the summit of Mt. Washington in 1819. Other trails allow us to follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark or explore even more ancient history like Effigy Mounds National Monument.
Besides experiencing majestic views and the great outdoors, we also exercise our bodies. Hiking not only gets our hearts pumping and our muscles moving, but being outdoors is good for our minds. Many of us spend too much time indoors behind a desk. Hiking can burn between 400-550 calories per hour. What better way to get a head start on all those ‘other’ holiday temptations and observe Take a Hike Day?
Events around the country celebrate Take a Hike Day. Local, state, and National Parks support hiking events encouraging us to enjoy a hike. Be sure to wear good shoes, take a snack and bring a buddy, but get out there and enjoy the fresh air, scenery and get a little exercise to boot!
HOW TO OBSERVE
Invite a friend and take a nice hike. Check out the resources below to find trails near you.
