Today’s Image | Cold Blue Jay Blue Jays don’t stick around in one place very long. Getting a closeup has turned out to be challenging. This one seems to be puffed out just a bit. Note: I post an image regularly at hankconrad.com.
Around the House | Bluejay This Bluejay is a bit shaded. The Bluejays around here are very skittish. They just don’t stay perched on a branch for long and with the slightest motion or sound, they are gone. This image is one of the closest I’ve been able to capture. For more information and images of Bluejays, see Blue Jays | a 7 Image Story. For more information and images on using the Nikon 1 V3 for bird photography, see Nikon 1 V3 for Birds | a 7 Image Story. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
| 1/15/2022 | Simple click through a thermopane window! |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V3 with a FT-1 Adapter and a AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR lens |
| Exposure | 300mm (810mm) f/5.6 1/500s -0.33ev 1000iso |
Northern Illinois | 2/07/2020 9:30 am Local Time | Mostly Cloudy 28°F Light Winds
In Search of Snowbirds | Blue Jay Alert Blue Jays are one of the most colorful birds in northern Illinois. They are very flighty and fly off at the slightest noise or disturbance. Capturing a good photograph of them can be very challenging. For more information and images, see Blue Jays | a 7 Image Story.
The Back Story While stretching a bit after several early morning hours in front of the computer, I made a quick glance out the window and noticed this Blue Jay on a nearby branch. Blue Jays don’t stay in one place very long. The camera was close. After a couple of clicks, it was gone.
Quick Facts…
| Blue Jay … Blue above. white below with crest and bold black necklace. Wings/tail barred black. | |
| Habitat | Oak & pine woods, gardens, groves, towns. Likes habitat with many oak or beech trees. |
| Range | Common in Northern Illinois |
| Nest | Open cup made of twigs, grass, weeds, moss, & mud in crotch of tree trunk or fork in limb. |
| Diet | Omnivorous. Mostly vegetable matter; seeds, grain, etc. Many insects & some small rodents. |
| Behavior | Forages in trees, shrubs and on ground. Comes to feeders for seeds. |
| Size | Length: 9.8-11.8 in | Weight: 2.5-3.5 oz | Wingspan: 13.4-16.9 in Size between robins & crows. |
A Bit of Winter | Blue Jay Winter would not be the same without the Blue Jays brightening the day. For the whole story with all images, see A Bit of Winter | a 7 Image Story.
Blue Jays | Spring Snow A little snow adds a lot to a Blue Jay image. For the whole story with all images, see Blue Jays | a 7 Image Story.
Blue Jays | Ground Search Yes, Blue Jays will frequently go to ground to get seeds. A little snow on the grass doesn’t bother them. For the whole story with all images, see Blue Jays | a 7 Image Story.
Blue Jays | Power Profile What’s a power profile? It’s a profile image captured from a low angle which enhances the strength of the image. For the whole story with all images, see Blue Jays | a 7 Image Story.
Blue Jays | Stretching for Flight Just before taking to flight, this Blue Jay leans forward stretching into the air. For the whole story with all images, see Blue Jays | a 7 Image Story.
