I had a blast taking these Blue Jay images at Steve Creek’s home in Arkansas. Soon after the bluebirds fledged, the jays felt safe to come into the feeders. Before then, the adult Eastern Bluebirds were very protective of the chicks in the nest box and would dive-bomb the jays.
Blue Jay getting a drink at a bird bath
I enjoyed taking the Blue Jay images in all kinds of light: rain, bright light, and low light, all from the comfort of Steve’s deck.
To capture some of these photos, I removed my 1.4x teleconverter so I could fit the entire bodies of the jays in my viewfinder. Even then, it was a close call. Jays are large perching birds!
Blue Jays are abundant in Arkansas; they sure weren’t in Utah. After moving to Utah in 2009, I may have seen these jays only two or three times. I know this: I won’t be taking my future sightings of Blue Jays for granted. The jays are such gorgeous and entertaining birds.
*Click the top image to view the photos below larger in a slide show.
The jays had some of their young fledge while I was at Steve’s, and they were fun to see in his yard and garden. Last year, when I was at Steve’s, I was able to take photos of some young jays at his feeders, and that was great fun for me.
I’ve got a whole lot more Blue Jay photos to edit and share in the future!
But I am on the go again, so stay tuned; I may have some Texas birds to share soon and then on to Oklahoma. Moss isn’t growing under my feet!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Blue Jay photos plus facts and information about this species.
All these jay photos were taken with my Nikon D500 using my Nikkor 500mm VR lens. Some were with my TC, some without.
… “Moss isn’t growing under my feet”… I can see it, and now I’ve got a ear worm in my head – Time to move on (Tom Petty, Wildflowers).
Thank you for sharing your beautiful images and life paths with us.
That’s a turn of events for sure — another species dive-bombing a jay! I only see Scrub Jays and Steller’s Jays out here, so seeing all the shots of Blue Jays is a real treat!
Echoing EC in wishing you safe and happy travels!
You really are covering some ground – and I have loved seeing the birds you see. Thank you. Happy and safe travels.