It was pecking on a decayed log on the ground when I first saw it. Then it flew to a tree. Then back on to the ground again.
Then came the Stellar's Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri)! First sighting of the year! These are the first Jay photos taken with my new camera (Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18), and I am quite happy to see them so close in my photographs.
This was the second individual that I saw. The first one came quite close to me and was very vocal about it. Then it got into a fight with a crow, but it returned soon after.
Stellar's Jay is the provincial bird of where I live (British Columbia), and it is native to Western North America and is the only crested jay west of the Rockies. I always get jealous of other bloggers' taking photographs of Blue Jays, so I am quite happy to see the return of their colorful relatives (more colorful than the usual white, black, gray, and brown) to our area. I wonder where do they go in the winter, probably south?
Then came the large flock of Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens) in Terra Nova. Very impressive, but also very messy, as the bike tires were covered with grassy feces within a few metres.
Hesitation.
Concert Conductor.
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6 comments:
It looks like you had a fun outting. The Steller Jay shot is great with its vocalizing and its always impressive for me to see all those great numbers of snow geese. I love the concert conductor shot.
Sorry I don't leave comments too often. I have dial up and your site takes a long time to load and the comments box usually glitches for me since it is the last to usually load.
I do enjoy your photos though. Have a great new birding week.
Beautiful creatures. There's is some significant amount of geese. Gosh. The last shot is brilliant.
Hi there-is that a Red-shafted Northern Flicker? I've see the Yellow-shafted variety. Cool! Don't be too envious of not having the Blue Jay in your area. I don't have the Stellar's Jay in my area! I recently researched Snow Geese and the proposed management options for the United States. It is sad, really. It seems that all of the instances of nature being out of balance can trace their roots to humans or human activities. I like your statement in your blog header...you sound like a kindred spirit. :-)
Excellent, cool for you that you spotted it! Euh I do not think that the population of snow geese is in danger in your area :-) and the last shot and title of it are just too funny... I still have stomach cramp!!
Love the geese!
Thank you all for your nice comments!
Natural Moments - After what you said, I decided to make the blog appear two posts at once (rather than three). Hope that eases up the connection.
Tarolino - I like that last shot myself too.
ambercoakley - Thank you. I believe it's a Red-shafted. I haven't seen a Yellow-shafted one around where I live.
Chris - It's not the underpopulation that is the problem. The problem is overpopulation of Snow Geese. One of the proposed solutions is to cull these beautiful magnificent birds. Such a shame.
Huckleberry - Thanks for dropping by. I love them too.
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