Winter Wildlife of the Vermilon River. A Post to Camera Critters.

Northern Raven Eating Snow.



Same Northern Raven




Close up of Our New Friend.




Blue Jay




Black-capped Chicadee




Female RedPoll




Male RedPoll



Female RedPoll

Red or Pine Squirrel



Female Hairy Woodpecker




Female Hairy Woodpecker.



Female Evening Grossbeak



American Goldfinch.

 When I first began this blog I wondered if I would have enough wildlife to post, and here I sit with 4 full memory cards. Computer transfer files not even touched. I'm blessed beyond thousands with an abundance of photos, and outdoor activities even in a harsh climate. And of course a good buddy to do all those activities with. I don't have to drive to sightings, I just put on my winter gear and walk in any direction to a wilderness forest complete with exotic subjects, and I never return empty handed.

A post to Camera Critters @ http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/

Blue Jays of the Vermilon River. A Post to My World Tuesday.

I've written a great deal about these guys already, so I think it's just time to enjoy them!! Also Boom & I broke free today and were out on the trails, so no commentary. It was that weather that is described world wide as spring ski weather. Woof, woof and yahoo!!

A Post My World Tuesday @ http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

Blue Jays Of The Vermilon River. A Post to World Bird Wednesday

Again, I like these guys and their crazy antics, and  their plumage is bright on a dull winter day so I'm always happy to see them. Here are some more facts about Blue Jays:
1) Their blue colour is due to the structure of their feathers that react with light to produce the vivid colour. Crush the feather and the blue is gone.
2) They mimic the calls of hawks and will band together to drive off predators.
3) They also can be taught to mimic human sounds as can their cousins the crow and the raven. Although, I understand they draw the line at minicing Stephen Harper the PM of Canada.
For more facts go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Jay

A Post to World Bird Wednesday. For more sites go to http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com/

Blue Jays Of The Vermilon River- A Post to Blue Monday

These guys amuse me to no end with their squawking in the woods when I'm trying to be quiet in a woodsy way, but I still think they're one of the finest looking winter birds that we get.

I had posted this information earlier on another Blue Jay post with different photos. But here goes again:

If you remove the Hummingbird from of the sun, it will lose its brilliant colours. The colour is in the way nature has constructed its feathers which refract the sunlight into the birds' vivid colours.Similarly, the tail feathers of the Blue Jay are constructed to reflect those vivid blue and white colours.

A Post To Blue Monday.

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?

Blue Jays of The Vermilon River

Playing hard to get.

Full Front



Is this one checking me out?



A Good Close-up



Full View showing tail feathers



Side View



Head Shot

I think it's the incredible antics of theses fellows that redeems them from just being squawky and annoying.They certainly were carrying on the day I shot these photos. Yet you have to give it to them, their plumage is certainly vivid.

The Same Family: Blue Jays, Ravens and Crows



American Crow



Crow In Flight



Raven

 Blue jays are squawky, flighty birds and when they spot you in the forest everything else is alerted as well . Nevertheless, they're colourful, and this one was almost posing. The crows here are huge and do quite well from their scavenging. As well they are beautiful fliers. The raven is very well established in aboriginal legend as a trickster, and its a pleasure to see him on our journeys.