Monday, December 6, 2010

Blue Jays Of The Vermilon River- My World Tuesday Post.





Related to the Crow, and Raven family, these guys seem to have all the usual family traits of intelligence, but appear to have usurped all the bright colour plumage. The woods this time of year is filled with them despite the cold ,wet, windy weather. These photos were taken at the entrance to one of my trails where I throw a few sunflower seeds every so often. They then will accompany me for a short distance before leaving me with a few squawks, to return to wherever.

The vivid blue is not in the feathers themselves , but results from light distortion as a result of the unique structure of the feather. This bird as well as Northern Flicker uses ant secretions to groom its feathers. Amazing, don't you think?

18 comments:

  1. What an interesting, fascinating post! I love your photos. Interesting grooming products that the Jay uses, hmmmmmm, wonder how that would work for us??? At my age anything would probably be beneficial!! Hope you have a wonderful week!

    Sylvia

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  2. Thanks for the visit. Boom & I visited your site and he approves of your dogs and Mark Twain.

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  3. Neat photos, Gary. That Blue Jay is saving up seeds for later. He's got a really full crop.

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  4. He probably thinks I'm a soft touch. Thanks for the compliments Hilke.

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  5. adorable aren't they? i have some visit my feeder. i think they are simply beautiful birds.

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  6. Great encounter, you got pretty close for those images...love them ;)

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  7. To Photo Cache: Thanks for the visit and kind comments. Boom & Gary.

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  8. Hi Dominic: Thanks for the visit and comments.

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  9. Excellent photos of the Blue Jay. Reminds me of the time I lived in Ottawa, Ontario, when I used to see these beauties.

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  10. What a delightful blog. My daughter and I perused some of your archived posts last evening and oohed and aahed over your beautiful photographs. The Blue Jay is such a striking bird. Like the N. Cardinal, it's difficult not to grab the camera and click off a few pictures with every visit! ~karen

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  11. Thanks Jeremy for the compliments. If you have time take a look at the Fisher. He's not something you would see in Ottawa or The UK, since he is related to the wolverine.

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  12. Kaholly: Thanks for the visit, and kind words. I think this particular Jay is running me.Boom & Gary.

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  13. There are ice flows on the Pine River this morning as the temperature dipped into the teens over night. I notice you have no snow yet. Whats up with that?
    Your Blue Jays are beautiful! Great catches!
    Thanks a million for your scholarly addition to my Field Stone buildings post. It's great to have the benefit of your insights.
    I imagine you cheer for the Sudbury Wolves but what NHL team has your loyalty?
    My best to Boom! Springman

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  14. To Springman: I don't follow Junior A hockey, but since I was born and raised in Toronto,I vaguely follow all the losing teams-the Blue Jays, The leafs, the Argos. Its the only thing a Toronto born person can do; it sort of evens up for the predominance of Toronto in Canada.In the NLF the Buffalo Bills now since they play in Toronto, but before it was the Green Bay Packers because they play in the cold and are supported by such a small place.I have as little to do with Sudbury or the Valley Of Death as possible.Even today we don't have much snow just a dry blizzard- high winds cold temp, with the wind chill its about -24degrees C. or -10 F.

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  15. To Jen: I know I read somewhere that in the case of the Northen Flicker, a ground woodpecker, that eats ants and grooms with them that its the formic acid that kills the vermin in the bird's feathers. Maybe its the same with blue Jays. Thanks for the visit Boom & Gary.

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  16. Great stuff. These are so different from our Jays.

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  17. Hi Julian: From somebody who has been turning out great stuff, that's kind. Boom & Gary.

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