If those of you who had seen 
yesterday's posting of a cute, little, fluffy American Goldfinch were ready to give it the 'sweetest looking bird ever' award, you might want to
first take a look at today's treasure. This is an adult taiga Gray Jay and if there was a 'teddy bear- like' bird award, I think I would give it to this friendly, inquisitive jay.
Yesterday, while driving along a wooded, secondary highway I spied this Gray Jay perched high on a tree branch along the road side. I stopped my car and backed up while it was still in the tree. Trying to quickly roll down the window and get my camera ready it started to fly, but instead of going away it flew directly at me and then perched on a branch just above my car. I was so lucky. I got out of the car and standing beside it I was able to take several very close pictures.
Having decided I had taken enough pictures, I left while this jay was still in the Birch Tree.
Oh my goodness! You were so lucky and observant. What a gorgeous bird! I've never seen that jay before. Your photos are excellent.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful bird. Just look at those long furry looking feathers on that chest. I have never seen one of those. Lucky you getting those shots. Helen
ReplyDeleteHe is adorable, Ann. And I'm impressed that you were able to get out of the vehicle and take pictures without him flying away. Great captures!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful shots! Sometimes luck is on your side when you want to get the perfect photo. Have a wonderful Sunday! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right. This one certainly rivals the other. Beautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are great--we have the regular Blue Jay here so I don't get to see this Jay. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful jay..I have never seen one of those..great photos
ReplyDeleteIt is sooooo pretty! And how nice of it to come and sit and pose! I wish we had these jays here...what a beautiful bird! And I certianly wish they all liked to pose like that...excellent shots of it.
ReplyDeleteI do believe he gets an award for cuteness as well as for posing just right.O.K. you get an award too for seeing him and for taking beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
You ain't kidding - This is one adorable and pretty bird! Your photos of it are spectacular!
ReplyDeleteWow..you saw him while driving..Great catch. I have never seen one and I love them when they are all fluffed out against the cold..
ReplyDeleteI was surrounded by about a dozen of these once (when visiting relatives in NB, come to think of it). It was in the middle of nowhere, but I can only think that someone fed them to make them so tame. Landed on my head, shoulder, arm, the sketchbook I was holding... At the time I wasn't officially birdwatching, and so didn't know what they were. It was both cool and a little scary.
ReplyDeleteOh! I miss gray jays. We called them camp robbers. They are all very forward birds and many will take food from you hand. I once had to keep backing away from a one on a picnic table. I was trying to take his picture and he kept hopping up and looking in the lens. It was like he kept looking all around the lens thinking, "Nope, no food there! Why does she keep holding it out with no food?"
ReplyDeleteOh Ann, what a beautiful, soft little bird. I've never seen one.
ReplyDeleteThey are gorgeous.
I didn't know this bird until today Sady
ReplyDeleteI have never seen this bird before either. In one of my first blog posts, I wrote a little about this bird. In the winter of 1942 they were found at the family farm north of Toronto and this was unusual enough that it was reported in the newspaper.
ReplyDeleteGray Jays are so much fun. I love how they are so trusting and will often land on your hands to be fed. Great posts.
ReplyDelete