And…we now return to our regularly scheduled backyard birds!
It’s funny though – after traveling to Costa Rica and seeing so many birds that I had never seen before, I found myself wondering what it would be like for someone from another country to come and see my backyard birds for the first time.
Take this Blue Jay, for instance. I’m sure they would marvel at his bold blues and intricate patterns.
And besides finding him lovely to look at, I would imagine they would be highly entertained by his boisterous behavior, first hearing him arrive with a loud call and then seeing him flare his crown in a display of “don’t-mess-with-my-meal” dominance!
They might chuckle as they watched him packing away one peanut after another…
…and then flying off with a hearty stash in his throat pouch! (I’ll crop in tighter on the second photo below so you can get a better view!)
And then, just when they thought the show was over, another Blue Jay would swoop in and give an encore performance.
Yep, I have no doubt that the oohs and aahs that have become ordinary to me…
…would be extraordinary to someone seeing them for the first time! Oh, who am I kidding, they’re still extraordinary to me too!
Backyard Bird Nerd 
I remember moving from my native Arizona (I grew up in Phoenix followed by attending UofA in Tucson) to Houston and really seeing the quite common blue jay for the first time, being very impressed by its dramatic and beautiful blue plumage. A friend and I, in fact, nursed a stunned blue jay back to health once after it had flown into a window. Now, living in Oslo, I would definitely ooooh and ahhhh again to see these feisty, pretty birds if I were to be transported to your lovely yard. 😍
“Dramatic” is a great word for the Jay – in beauty and behavior! And I truly love it when folks share a bit of their own story in the comments!
The Blue Jay is one of my favorite birds from your country, and yes if I was visiting your backyard, and I definitely would want to if this bird were there. this is the bird I would want to see above all others. It is gorgeous ! and so many lovely captures Kathy !
Well…it you’re every in the states you are more than welcome to hang out in my backyard!
Lovely. Such cheek.
When we moved from Eastern Canada to Western, we were camping and suddenly this animated rapidly-rasping scold of a call came from the pines above–familiar, yet not–and bam!–this tough and tenacious owner of our picnic table landed on the far end, crest on high alert, head held indignantly high, eyeing us self-importantly, dark dark blue with accents of ultramarine, cocky as cocky gets–our first encounter with a Stellar Jay. It hopped about waiting for its rightful due, and grabbed the bit of sandwich we tossed and flashed up into the branches, waiting until we left so it could ransack any and every food wrapping we’d carelessly not put away.
What is it about Jays? They are all so comical and profoundly offended to know that’s how we regard them. (smile) Thank you for these great photos.
OK – I think I’ve read this comment through at least three times just for the sheer beauty of the wording!
And…when I visited Alaska there was a Stellar Jay that had become so accustomed to our host feeding it that it would peck at the window to demand more food! Comical and cocky for sure!
They are beautiful, even if they are gluttonous bullies!
Agreed! One of my favorites to watch. 😊
I’ll never forget watching a birdfeeder in Maryland with some visitors from England. They were stunned by the goldfinches, cardinals, and blue jays, birds it’s easy for us to take for granted. I’ve always loved the bright blue of our jays, and the way their patterned feathers remind me of stained glass.
Stained glass -that’s perfect!