Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Cyanocitta cristata

Though we have Blue Jays in the city, I usually hear them rather than see them. Heavily overcast didn''t help with taking photos, but at least I got it. All four photos posted this morning were taken on 27 December 2018, when I took part with seven others (in two vehicles) in the annual Audubon Sheep River/Turner Valley Christmas Bird Count. The weather forecast was for sun and cloud, but there was only a very brief sighting of sun on the distant mountain peaks in the whole day. Heavily overcast is an accurate description. Fortunately, it was not bitterly cold (between -11C and -3C) and there was no deep snow to have to walk through. We only saw 13 species of bird, but we were all delighted to see a Moose (female), with two being seen by one participant. I think I only got photos of two birds in the whole day - plus a fake owl on a barn door, that I like to photograph each year : ) Two days later, I had to be up really early to get to a meeting place by 7:30 am, ready for the annual Audubon Cochrane Wildlife Reserve Christmas Bird Count. This was my last out-of-city Count for this winter. There is a Fish Creek Park annual New Year's Day Count coming up, so hopefully there won't be any new snow before then. It did snow a bit yesterday.

Thanks to Phil, here is yet another photograph of one of the five Blue Jay fledgelings whose parents wisely chose Phil and his wife's beautiful, inviting garden for their home. This (not so) little guy/gal flew down to the tiny pond for a drink.

A photo of one of the young Blue Jays in a friend's garden, taken way back in June last year. I can't remember off-hand how many young ones this pair of Blue Jays had, but it was a large family : ) Phil very kindly let me go over to the beautiful garden that he and his wife have lovingly created and take my very first photos of Blue Jays (other than a few extremely distant shots). I wasn't sure whether I liked this close-up, but decided thta I would post it after all : )

Alternative title: "Mom - I'm hungry!". Mom was nearby to answer the hunger call of this young one and its four siblings. A photo of a Blue Jay has been at the top of my photography Wish List for maybe four years. Thanks SO much to Phil (on flickr, PhilPete) and his wife for letting me go round to their amazing backyard this evening to see a family of Blue Jays with five young ones! These babies allowed me to get within just a handful of feet - the evening light was not good, though, with my little point-and-shoot, so my photos are grainy. However, I was THRILLED to be given this great opportunity. I'd never seen a young one before! "Everyone" has Blue Jays come to their garden - except ME, LOL! Thank you, thank you, thank you, both of you!! So much appreciated! Looking forward to seeing YOUR Blue Jay photos, Phil!

Another of the photos I was able to take yesterday when I got the opportunity to visit the garden of Phil and his wife. This perfect little patch of Paradise is home to a family of Blue Jays, with five young ones! Thanks again, Phil!

Thanks to Phil, a photographer friend, I was given the chance to see this family of Blue Jays, which has five fledgelings, in his garden. I was thrilled to finally get a few photos of Blue Jays!