Bright blue flashes of male indigo buntings are enlivening the edges of the Brushy Fork field again here in Berea as they forage for insects, seeds and berries. We see them as jewel tone blue not because their feathers have blue pigment, but because of the way blue light bounces off the microscopic structure of their feathers. When it is time to migrate south, indigo buntings use the stars to guide their migration, a journey that may cover more than 1,000 miles!

If you have enjoyed this year of birds in The Edge, you can find prints of Jennifer Melton’s bird photos at Mary Lou’s Bookstore on North Broadway in Old Town Berea.