Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)A common enough bird here in the US (especially in New England), I had just been commenting to my wife on the fact that I'd never managed to get a photo of a Blue Jay that I liked. Moments later, she says, "Well, there's one on the ground right there" and sure enough, there was a beautiful adult Blue Jay on the ground not 20 feet from us. The moment I grabbed my camera, and turned the lens in it's direction, it did something I didn't quite expect. It spread out it's right wing and nestled down in the grass. Odd! My first thought was that this was a "broken-wing" display that I've seen Killdeer use to distract predators away from a nest, but I'd never seen a Blue Jay do it. I shot a few photos, took a step closer, took another few, took another step, knelt down, and still the bird did not move - just looked at me with it's beak wide open. Now I was starting to get nervous that perhaps the bird really was injured and I started to think about where I could bring it, and as I straightened up from my crouching photographer position - it stood up as well - I swear it winked at me, then turned and flew off - with two other jays that had been above our heads the entire time. This bird had totally played me and I fell for it!
Before I left, I did check to make sure they didn't take my wallet. Sneaky little corvids - I wouldn't put it past them!
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8 comments:
Hi Chris!
Cool photo - the bird may have been sunning or "anting" - I have seen Am Robins do this in a line of ants, letting them "clean."
It's just taking a sun bath. I've seen American Robins, Rock Doves and Morning Doves do this. They will raise up their feathers and get a little sun on the skin. Ahhh, it must feel good!
I am laughing at your comments Chris. You gotta watch those Corvids alright. Fooled you eh?
Your close up capture is exceptional! Great color. The feather detail is super and the expression is indeed priceless.
Great photos and I like your story!
LMAO!, Great story, Chris! And your photos captured the essence of the Jay's mischief.
I wouldn't put it past them either, particularly if you looked like you might be carrying peanuts. Scary how smart they are sometimes.
We were both thinking blue jays this week... I've never seen a jay doing that, but doves and dees hang out on the warm deck like that... Great photos... LOL..on the wallet.. Michelle
Good photos - and you're right - tough to get pics that you like. I've been trying to get them coming in to land - no luck. I can't tell from the photo, but was this a young bird? Posture looks like it's begging?
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