The Steller's Jay

The first time I saw a Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) was on my first trip to Yosemite National Park. This beautiful blue bird was quite the squawky insistent thing as it hopped from branch to picnic table to branch again, looking for a camper's handout, or as the pirate says, "anything it could steal." They are bold and fearless. I suppose they are easily dismissed because they are such an omnipresent nuisance in western conifer forests and campgrounds, but they are also beautiful to look at. The Steller's Jay only shows up in our Washington backyard in late summer and fall. It comes to feast on our sunflowers, but doesn't mind making a lunch at the seed feeder.

Enjoying the feast of the last sunflowers of the season.

Apparently enjoying the birdseed as well.