Blue jays sit in the trees and call to each other, that distinctive sound we’ve come to know and love. As people approach the bridge, the jays take up positions in the trees around it, watching for peanuts, their favourite treats.
They don’t bother with the tiny sunflower seeds, a favourite of the chickadees.
As peanuts placed by their loving admirers are set on the railing, the jays fly closer and land nearby, though wary of every move of the bystanders. When they feel it’s safe, each hops to pick up a treat.
A quick escape is essential.
Each jumps before its wings engage, which we hadn’t noticed before. A quick vertical jump,
as if each is on a trampoline instead of the hard railing. The feet show the effect of the downward push when the bird is in the air.
The blue jays are agile as each bird can land on the railing from all sides and angles
and jump sideways if need be.
The wings begin to unfurl as they push away from the rail.
The birds aren’t the only ones treated this day!
awwww, this is a great story about the jays!! they do love their peanuts and all have the distinctive moves you described!! awesome captures, the pictures really tell the story!!
ReplyDeleteLove the blue jays, Debbie.
DeleteThe third photo - of that little hop - is amazing. The kind of thing you don't notice with the naked eye.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by it, John.
DeleteHappy SPRING! We have hummingbirds but, alas, I am not a photographer.
ReplyDeleteLol. Perfect Linda.
DeleteVery observant!
ReplyDeleteI love to watch them, Debra.
DeleteYou have changed my opinion of blue jays!
ReplyDeleteI guess that’s good, Joanne?
DeleteI confess, I love to watch blue birds and Red Birds to. I miss having my bird feeders and all the little birds that used to come and visit me each day.
ReplyDeleteI remember you writing about the birds, Barbara.
DeleteOur blue jays sometimes mimic the call of the hawk so that they can get the song birds away from the feeders!
ReplyDeleteThose crafty blue jays!
DeleteThey're quite marvelous birds. Their cousins, the grey jays, are a treat to watch too.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t seen gray jays here, William.
DeleteWow, what fantastic photos Marie. Very observant eyes you have. Thanks for showing these little creature's magic moves.
ReplyDeleteThey are fantastic creatures, Bill.
DeleteSuch pretty birds. Lovely photos, Diane
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane.
DeleteWatching them and reading your post is most definitely a treat. A treat which keeps on giving. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you EC. I love birds as you do.
DeleteAmazing that you caught a shot of the bird jumping before flying. That's fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI did not realize they did that, Mildred.
DeleteHow neat that you caught that jump! I'm going to get some peanuts and watch to see if our stellar's jays do it too. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with stellar’s jays, Jan.
DeleteJust flat out delightful.
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed, Mage.
DeleteI go away for a week, and come home to these outstanding photographs.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mage.
DeleteI tried to get some jay pics a few years ago. The blighters were very fast.
ReplyDeleteTheir movements are quick and jerky, AC.
DeleteGreat pictures of the blue jays enjoying the peanuts, but lets face it, they are naughty birds, they steal eggs and eat baby birds out of other birds nests. Well, they have to eat I suppose!
ReplyDeleteThey rule the area where we see them, Shammi.
DeleteCute! I've gotten a few hop on my deck so I have been putting peanuts out on my planters on the deck. they are beautiful birds. (They are) Mean to other birds though! they also steal dog food! I have put dog food out for my dog in the past (my previous dog...because she liked to dump her food out to eat it on the ground instead of eating from the dog bowl) and they will swoop down and take the dog food one at a time. Andrea
ReplyDeleteThey are opportunists, that’s for sure, Andrea.
DeleteGreat captures,Marie.Peanuts must be so hard.....!
ReplyDeleteThe shells are hard, Tomoko.
DeleteWithout sounding trite - you learn something every day. This was today's lesson for me. Thanks Marie!
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome, Cathy.
DeleteWow - what great shots of those take-offs! Amazing to see the flight captured in this way. I'll have to watch our bluejays more closely!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t have believed if I’d not photographed it, Jenny.
DeleteI always liked BLue Jays, they aren't as common here I don't think, I rarely see them.
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure of their range, Jenn. They are common on the east coast for sure.
Deletefabulous photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks, SW.
DeleteI had never noticed. Too fast for me. Every year I see two blue jays and two cardinals. Hard to photograph.
ReplyDeleteThey are a photographic challenge, that’s for sure, Catarina.
DeleteWhat fabulous images to show-n-tell your "story," Marie!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ginnie!
DeleteAmazing capture of the movement of the bluejays! We have stellar jays here, and they are fun to watch as well. They particularly like the suet I put out for the birds. Amazing how they jump off first before flying! Great shots!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marilyn. Their jumping surprised me too.
DeleteRemarkable photos dear Marie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletei LOVED this blue beauty which you captured Fantastically!
Thank you, Baili.
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