Steller's Jay
Bryce Canyon National Park
Oct. 2003

 



A Steller's jay is absolutely stunning, and this was the first time I had the opportunity of photographing one. Actually, it was almost embarrassing: The jay had perched almost within my minimum focusing distance, and I had immediately set the Sony camera to its macro mode. Luck was with me, and I got a full-frame photo (which is drastically reduced):
 
Steller's jay
 
Note its facial makeup and tall crest! (The crest also varies with the bird's mood, which is generally outspoken.)

For ID purposes (and you'll only see this jay west of the Rockies), the following photo is a more typical telephoto. Note the strong bars on both its tail and wings.
 
Steller's jay
 
Photography note: Both photos were taken with a Sony F707 digital camera.  




Bryce by moonlight   |   Lightning by Bryce   |   Fairyland Castle

Brycian trees   |   chipmunk   |   Golden mantled ground squirrel

Zion National Park   |   Petrified Forest National Park

Dinosaur National Monument   |   Contact
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