Western Scrub Jay

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birds, western scrub jay

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Western Scrub Jay at Peanut Feeder

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bird photography, birds, peanut bird feeder, western scrub jay

This is a western scrub jay, common in Prescott Az, taking a peanut from a peanut feeder. Scrub jays love peanuts, I had been putting some out on a platform feeder for several years. They will take all the peanuts you put out, they eat some by breaking the shells with their beak. What they don’t eat they cache (hide) for later.

Gary Gromer took this photo with two strobe lights and a Canon 5Dmk3 camera. He caught the moment when the bird plucked the peanut from the feeder while in flight. Earlier in the week I shot some photos with my Sony A6000 using ambient light, these did not turn out too well.

I bought this feeder at Jay’s Bird Barn in Prescott. We showed this image to the owner of that store, whose name is Eric (not Jay), and he asked for 3 prints which he is going to put in each of his 3 stores near the peanut feeders.

Scrub Jay After a Peanut

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western scrub jay

The scrub jays are gathering as many nuts as they can. They hide caches of them for winter, and eat a few as they do.

Bad Reputation of Crows, Ravens, and Other Corvids

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birds, corvids, raven, western scrub jay

Here’s the link:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150123081801.htm

These birds are said to have bad reputations but I like ravens and western scrub jays, both corvids. These birds are smart and interesting. Gary had an uncle who though if a black bird, like a raven, flew across your path someone was going to die. Strange.

Western Scrub Jay on Branch

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birds, western scrub jay

One of my favorite photos of this western scrub jay who visits our property regularly.