Jarbidge to the Oregon Trail

I came home from work around noon today with a body full of aches. I am presently bundled up in a sweater and a jacket and the heat is cranked up and I’m still cold. Bleah.

But does it stop me from getting in my photo for the 365 days? Heck no.

No because the scrub jay was busy in the bird feeder and I sneaked some sloppy photos of him (her?).

This is probably my favorite. Just as I got the camera positioned and pressed the shutter button, the jay decided to go for a different perch!

Peeking back down at me.

It’s modus operandi is to take a sunflower seed from the feeder and then bang it against a limb to crack it open and eat it, which is what it is doing here.

There are three jays common to this area: the Steller’s Jay, the Gray Jay (“Camp Robber”) and the Western Scrub-Jay. I grew up with the Pinion Jay, but it’s range is far to the south and east of here. Jays are all gregarious and funny birds. Our local scrub-jays have been known to chase robins, dogs and cats away from their nesting sites.

The Steller’s Jay comes to the feeder, too, but he’s a lot shier. I haven’t been able to catch him with my camera.

Just thought I’d share another bird-watching moment with you.