Steller’s Jay

This is the mountain environment equivalent of the Blue Jay of the Midwest and East. It is a widespread species with much variation in the richness of its blue color, ranging from almost black to deep royal blue. One thing that does not change is the “lightening bolt” on its forehead or “front”. This picture was taken by my wife, Deb, from a portable hunting blind we set up in our coastal mountains at about 5000′ elevation. We set the blind up at a cattle watering trough that draws many birds during the dry season here in So. California. I am not sure my wife appreciated sitting in this blind for many hours but she did enjoy this bird. This was taken at a distance of about 25′.