Front Yard Critters

[thewayne]

Yesterday I saw bluejays and a chipmunk. Today: take away the chipmunk, add a SQUIRREL! Fortunately my dogs didn't see it, or if they did, they didn't scream it and start after it.

These were all shot hand-held through my computer "room" window, which really should be cleaned, but considering it's over 10' above the ground, I don't know that I want to do that!

Bluejay: [edit^2: Moonhare identifies them as Stellar's Jays, I saw three of them in my front yard this week!]

I don't know how the tail is in focus and the head is not, blame it on a 300mm that when multiplied is effectively a 480mm at f5.6. I'm considering bringing in my monopod. The bluebird wasn't very cooperative in terms of staying in sunlight and holding still or posing.

Squirrel run across felled tree:


Squirrel run down tree:


Squirrel run up same tree, moments later:



Not as sharp as I'd like, but all things considered, not bad.

EDIT: my wife said they're Jays, not just Bluebirds. I didn't spend any points in Ornithology, they all went in to computer skills and photography. Recently my XP has been going in to cooking/baking and video editing.

Comments

[moonhare]

Nice shots!

Apparently (looking online) that is a Stellar's Jay and is very different from the standard Blue Jay we have around here. We have a running joke here that when my wife and I start watching birds in earnest then we've crossed the threshold and have truly become our parents: something about old(er) people and bird watching ;o)

Whenever I'm out back with the pup and I see a squirrel, I find myself mumbling Squirrel! in Dug dog's voice and inflection-

https://youtu.be/xrAIGLkSMls

[thewayne]

Interesting.  Yes, that could well be a Stellar's, we certainly have the right environment.  I can't attest to the sound it makes, I'll try and get a better photo of its front. Yeah, my wife and I always do the Dug voice when we see squirrels running around.  Love that movie!

[thewayne]

I did not notice that it does indeed have a dark head, I assumed it was a weird shadow. Interesting.... The sparrows are out, so I expect the jays soon.

[moonhare]

Our main birds for the last few years are the Cat Birds. They are friendly fellows and you can talk to them and they don't scare off quickly. We also have lots of Chickadees and Titmice (Titmouses?). And wild turkeys... lots of turkeys and they have their chicks with them now.

hmmm, I may have crossed that threshold :D