Mountain Bluebird

One of the pleasures of living in Oregon is the variety of climate, topography and bird life within easy driving distance. Spending the past 24 hours in Central Oregon on the east side of the Cascade Mts. reminded me again that winter is very different over there. For example, this Mountain Bluebird was 'breakfasting' on juniper berries in temperatures well below freezing. Nearby, a flock of ravens and magpies was busy cleaning off the bones of a dead elk.