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Bird of the Day, theme 'Over The Rainbow'

natureAug 1, 202621311,232

Bird of the Day is a daily community event; today’s theme OverTheRainbow asks for birds looking skyward, with an alternate HedgingYourBets for birds in hedges or bushes. Submissions today show a mix of field photography and archived shots focused on upward gazes and sheltered poses, with many small passerines and larger wetland birds featured. Concrete examples include a great blue heron looking skyward at a nature area in Longmont, Colorado, a Tawny Owlet gazing up in South Wales, and a kingfisher framed mid-look toward the sky from an archive image. Look for images that emphasize upward posture, birds tucked into bushes, and occasional rainbows or colorful backdrops under the #OverTheRainbow tag.

Alan H
@alan678.bsky.social

Morning. Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #OverTheRainbow, any bird looking skyward. Alt #HedgingYourBets, any bird in a hedge or bush. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT From Monday, @atlanticbirding.bsky.social and @helenbennett.bsky.social Will be joining us as cohosts. #birds #ECK #SmallBirdSaturday

A fluffy juvenile European robin stands upright in short green grass, its rounded body covered in mottled brown plumage before the familiar adult red breast develops. The young bird gazes upward with a large, dark eye and a slender pointed bill, while its long pink legs give it an alert, inquisitive stance. Tiny white clover flowers and scattered fallen leaves dot the softly blurred lawn, creating a natural garden setting that highlights the fledgling’s youthful appearance and curious expression.
44045d ago
Alan H72

Rob and I have known for a considerable time that BOTD was getting too big for just two hosts. Having AB and Helen join us is such a boost. We will be working a 4 day rotation. We wish them all the best and thank them so much for stepping up.

Atlantic Birding50

I’d just like to say thank you to @alan678.bsky.social and @robcrank68.bsky.social for asking me to join the #BirdOfTheDay team. I’m looking forward to working with them, and @helenbennett.bsky.social If we can keep up the great work, and fun, Alan and Rob have poured into it we’ll be doing great

Neil Cameron16

Thank you Alan and Rob for all the work as hosts you've done to date. I look forward to Atlantic Birding and Helen joining you in your endeavours. I shall attempt to make their lives miserab...oh wait, no, ummm.... fun. Yeh, that's it, fun!

Rob Crank Photography8

Beautiful capture Alan, off to check out the vault for anything worthwhile.

Justine Jones6

Such a lovely photo! Wonderful additions, @atlanticbirding.bsky.social and @helenbennett.bsky.social, this is going to be fantastic. Exciting times ahead, and I’m looking forward to what’s to come. 😀

Rosemarie6

that is an adorable photo! Love it Alan! I’m glad you and Rob are getting help. Such a success and you both must get overwhelmed. Welcome, @atlanticbirding.bsky.social and @helenbennett.bsky.social 💙

Graham Jones
@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #OverTheRainbow, any bird looking skyward. I'm going with these plus, of course, Roberto #Robin my lovely wife's favourite bird #ForJanet #SmallBirdSaturday #birds #ECK

From main picture, clockwise: A European Robin looks to the skies for inspiration while singing top note and sitting on a black metal arch support; a young Great Spotted Woodpecker eyes up the distance he needs to jump to another feeder while sitting on a batch of bird food; a Great Tit hangs on the back of a black metal pole and peers at the feeder that hangs above; a juvenile Robin, still without its red bib, gazes upwards at a bird feeder wondering how it can possibly get up there. One day.
41545d ago
Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

Hello Graham, such a lovely photos and Roberto is a cutie 🤎have a fine day and weekend 😊

Jason1

Outstanding shots as always Graham my friend 🤩👌🏼 #ForJanet ❤️

BelleAB1

Beautiful set of photos, Graham!

fozziefotos.eurosky.social1

Lovely set graham 👌 😍

lucyannablues.bsky.social1

George, resident Blue Heron, watching the red winged blackbirds playing an arial game of tag over the pond

Laura-Elseplace1

Oh, that's possibly the best photo of Roberto that I've seen! What a gem...

✮: 🎀 𝒥𝒶𝓃𝑒 🎀 :✮
@janesgallery.bsky.social

Another photo for @alan678.bsky.social #BirdOfTheDay #OverTheRainbow Robin #BirdPhotography #Birds #Nature #ECK #𝒮𝓂𝒶𝓁𝓁𝐵𝒾𝓇𝒹𝒮𝒶𝓉𝓊𝓇𝒹𝒶𝓎

Robin looking up
35545d ago
Amelia Clark - Lover of Flagons2

Cloud gazing! :) I love them!

Mike Melton
@mikemelton.bsky.social

A completely invisible Pinnated Bittern at Medio Queso Wetlands #CostaRica for #overtherainbow #birdoftheday #birds #herons #bitterns

A long-necked brown bird standing upright among wetland grasses with its bill pointed toward the sky.
29645d ago
Barrie Cull4

Well done Mike 👏 A lovely photo. When I saw the theme for #BirdOfTheDay this morning was #Overtherainbow I hoped someone would post a photo of a Bittern with their distinctive pose looking upwards.

Marie Buhtz3

I see only grass. Definitely not a bird 😁

Jan Casavant2

Great shot Mike! It's so cool how Bitterns can make themselves look like plants! 😍

EveryHeron 𓅣2

Oooo. What a beauty even if near invisible! Not sure ever been able to repost one of those before.

Atlantic Birding1

Great Shot Mike, lovely bird

Paula1

Beautiful work and a new bird ❤️

Kort Duce
@kortduce.bsky.social

A great blue heron looks skyward at a nature area in Longmont, Colorado. #BirdOfTheDay #OverTheRainbow #bird #birdphotography #ECK #birds #photography #birdsofbluesky #BirdsSeenln2026 #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Photo by Kort Duce A great blue heron looks skyward at a nature area in Longmont, Colorado. In this vertical color photograph, a great blue heron fills the frame as it faces the camera while balancing on its right leg. Its neck and head are turned in right profile, with its beak tilted toward the sky as it appears to study something overhead. The background creates a beautiful painterly scene, beginning with a reflection of the opposite shoreline in the upper portion of the image that naturally frames the bird. The remainder of the background is filled with the pond, which mirrors Colorado's signature blue sky. This elegant portrait captures a moment of awareness and curiosity while showcasing a great blue heron within the wetland habitat that is essential to its survival.
29644d ago
Melinda B Hipple, author&artist1

That's stunning. So clean and classic.

Amy Gann
@amygann.bsky.social

A great blue heron stands at the water's edge and looks up as another heron flies by For the #birdoftheday theme of #overtherainbow #birds #heron #greatblueheron #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A great blue heron stands at the water's edge and looks up as another heron flies by
27045d ago
Keeper of the Flame1

"There she is again...Maybe if I ask really really nicely this time..."

Neil Cameron1

What a cool shot, Amy!

Bumblejack1

Ooh, blue herons are some of my favorites

Rina
@rina2012.bsky.social

"Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #OverTheRainbow, any bird looking skyward. Alt #HedgingYourBets" I'm going with cormorants looking up to the sky 🪶 #Birds #wildlife #photography #naturephotography #ECK #thelittlethings #BlueSkyArtShow #Big

Three cormorants are standing close together on a light-coloured concrete wall. Two of the birds have spread their wings wide out to dry them. The cormorant in the middle is holding its head and beak pointing straight up towards the sky. Its plumage glistens a dark blue-black, whilst the bases of its beak shine a striking yellow-white. The area behind the birds consists of a blurred, lush green bush.
23045d ago
Alan H1

Just so good Rina. Awesome capture and slightly show offy, going with two looking up. 😂🫶🏼

Sharon R.1

What beautiful birds! Great capture, Rina! 💕

Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

That’s wonderful, Rina. 👌🏼 The Cormorant looks rather wise in that pose.

Atlantic Birding
@atlanticbirding.bsky.social

🪶 Alan has chosen #OverTheRainbow as the #BirdOfTheDay theme: any bird looking up. Alt. is #HedgingYourBets; any bird in a hedge or bush I’m going to be a teachers pet with this Long Tailed Tit doing both. #birds #birdsofbluesky #birdphotography #ECK #naturephotography #SmallBirdSaturday

A Long Tailed Tit in Blackthorn bush. The bird is right of centre of frame, in side profile facing to the left with its head tilted upward to look at the sky. Its head, chest, back and left wing are visible while its feet and most of its tail are hidden by leaves. The picture is taken in bright sunshine and the bird and the green leaves are well lit up. The rest of the shot is fresh green leaves and small branches from the bush.
22545d ago
Alan H1

Gorgeous shot of a gorgeous and notoriously difficult to get bird AB. 👌🏼👌🏼

Colm B1

Lovely shot AB. Congrats on your new role with BOTD.

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

What a cutie and lovely photo AB✨️

Barrie Cull1

That’s a lovely photo AB - they are one of my favourite birds. You’ll be a great co-host of #BirdOfTheDay 🙂

franceflo.bsky.social1

Always cute, but that little of red in its eye , perfect touch 🤩

fozziefotos.eurosky.social1

Lovely pic. Good luck in your new role keeping alan and Rob in check 🤣

swandiveswim.bsky.social
@swandiveswim.bsky.social

#Birds #Sparrow Alan H chose today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme alt a #HedgingYourBets, any bird in a hedge or bush. This Lincoln Sparrow was foraging a Black Hawthorn bush among the spines & ripening berries.

A small grey & brown streaked bird facing left, is perched on a diagonal slender red branch. It is a sunny day, so the red stems & thorns are bright against the green leaves & background.
20645d ago
Pete Hegseth’s Mom1

Absolutely stunning photo ... ✅ wow 💙 ... me and my Iphone are quietly stepping back

Neil Cameron
@neilcam57.bsky.social

Alan @alan678.bsky.social's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #OverTheRainbow Immature Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus) wondering which way is up. #ECK #birds #birdphotography #birdsofbluesky #wildlife #nature #Photography #Nikon #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBlueSky

Immature Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus) stands among the spindly branches of a tree while peering towards the sky.
18645d ago
Alan H1

What a beautifully intimate and well crafted shot Neil. Love it. 🥰

✮: 🎀 𝒥𝒶𝓃𝑒 🎀 :✮1

Beautiful 😍 little bird shot

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

Awww so lovely to see this Neil✨️

franceflo.bsky.social1

That head tilt , always cute 🥰

PacBirds
@pacbirds.bsky.social

A California scrub-jay inside a crab apple bush for the #HedgingYourBets theme of #BirdOfTheDay #birds #nature #blossom #photography #ECK

Closeup of a scrub-jay perched inside a shrub with out of focus blossoms in the background.
19045d ago
franceflo.bsky.social1

Beautiful, never seen one yet

Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

A truly beautiful little bird and a superb photo. 👌🏼

Aintright
@aintright.bsky.social

Bobbin the Robin #SmallBirdSaturday #BirdOfTheDay #OverTheRainbow #HedgingYourBets #ukwildlife #birds #robin #nature #ForJanet #photography #eastcoastkin

18345d ago
Tom1

“Dental hygiene is so important! Let me gargle with ROBINprotec anti-bad-breath anti-bacterial mouthwash!” 😊

Richard D. Miller
@richarddmiller.bsky.social

Per Alan, today's #BirdOfTheDay alt theme is #HedgingYourBets, any bird in a hedge or bush. When you're as shockingly blue as this male blue #grosbeak, hiding out in a bush is not a realistic option. #birds #birdphotography

A bright blue grosbeak with orange and black stripes in its wings and tail and a black upper beak with a silver lower beak perched on a branch in a green leafy bush.
16745d ago
islgrl.bsky.social1

Gorgeous. That color is electric.

Robyn
@handcranked.bsky.social

Looking up A common myna on a very large palm frond at golden hour in Moorea. #BirdOfTheDay #OverTheRainbow #BlueSkyArtShow #big #ColorADay #GreenSat #EastCoastKin #ECK #PhotographersUnited #Bird #minimal #ArtYear

A common myna standing on a large palm frond, bathed in the late afternoon glow. The bird's body is facing left, but its head is turned up and to the right. The bird is in upper right side of the photo. It has brown feathers, a yellow beak and legs, a yellow patch around its black eyes, and a bit of white on the wings and under the tail, but everything has a reddish or gold hue from the light. The sky is pale gray-bue.
16144d ago
Graham Jones3

Definitely not common. You can see that this bird is distinctly unimpressed having that adjective  attached to its moniker. "What, me, common? I'm a majestic Myna, me. Mind your manners."

Justine Jones1

💚 Love this, fantastic setting, lighting and bird! Superb capture Robyn. 😃✨

Lecia Michelle
@leciamichelle.bsky.social

Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #OverTheRainbow, any bird looking skyward. This male northern cardinal was looking at its fledgling. She was perched on a tree branch above him. #birds #photography #birdsofbluesky

Northern cardinal with bright red feathers looks up as it perches on the back of a park bench.
16944d ago
Just Dave15

Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #OverTheRainbow, any bird looking skyward. #birds #birdphotography #wildlife #nature #Anhingas frequently look skyward. #NaplesRookery

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