On this particular visit, I saw more Clark’s Nutcrackers than I’ve seen the rest of my life. Dozens of these birds darted among the trees, and soared down the cliffsides. They have the curious habit of finding the very tip of the tallest tree around, and perching on top of it.
Clark’s Nutcracker
Brown Jay
February 2013 – Monteverde, Costa Rica
Just another one of those random birds you see in a tree in a meadow in the cloud forest in Costa Rica…
Scrub Jay
December 2012 – Eugene, OR
These are pretty common birds throughout the Willamette Valley in Oregon. This one was a regular visitor to a backyard.
Steller's Jay
September 2012 – Lilliwaup, WA
This Steller’s Jay was sitting on a driveway, all “puffed-up”. I thought something was wrong… but it jumped to attention once I got close enough.
Black-billed Magpie
July 2012 – Big Indian Gorge, Steens Mtn, OR
There were a few of these – what I believe are young Magpies – causing a ruckus among the trees.
Common Crow
May 2012 – Eugene, Oregon
Ok, I see crows all the time… there is one hanging out in the neighbors tree with a sore voice; he’s been trying to caw for a couple years, but it just comes out as a soft burp. Poor guy. The one photographed here was along a suburban driveway in Eugene, Oregon. Exotic location, eh?
Gray Jay
February 2012 – Sand Lake, WA
Gray Jays are fairly common in alpine forests of this area. They among the tamest of birds – the boldest of them have little hesitation landing on people if there is a chance for a tasty treat. They’re also pretty smart birds; leave your food unattended for just a few moments, and they’ll figure out a way in. This explains why they have the nickname “Camp Robber”.
Common Raven
January 2011 – Grand Canyon Rim, Arizona
These intelligent birds love open spaces with lots of updrafts to soar upon… and it doesn’t hurt if there is easy food available from messy tourists.