joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I think birds are very intelligent and Blue Jays are among the smartest.

I shoot mostly from a blind with camo mesh covering the window and only the lens hood protrudes out when shooting. The mesh doesn't block all the light for I can see through it.

When whole peanuts are out the typical Jay behavior when I'm in the blind is then swoop in, grab a nut and fly away. If they perch it is usually on the most distant Shepard's Crook or done so quickly I have little opportunity to get a shot.

Once in a while I put a bust of a person in the blind's window (to acclimate the birds) and the Jays behave the same as if the blind is empty. Keep in mind they are looking at it through the mesh screen.

Can't fool a Jay.

This is a cropped image from about 25'.

(Download)

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Beautiful shot. 👍

old man 88 Loc: Palmview, TX when not on road

A gorgeous close-up of this sassy Blue Jay. Great pose, lighting, focus, colors, detail, background, and composition.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Yes, a "beautiful shot" of a hansom bird.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Well done. Thanks for the insight into your system.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Excellent shot and interesting observation, Joe.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thank you all for looking and comments.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Excellent shot. They are smart and very skittish.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Indeed they are. Thanks kpmac.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice shot and interesting story.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Sweet shot! My favorite bird growing up ! I to watch them from a shed window with camo over it. They will pick up 2or3 nuts see which is heaviest then

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks John for the comments.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

My observations as well.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Beautiful shot, and some Blue Jay advice. Each time you shoot, have a pocket full of raw peanuts (roasted is OK, but salted isn't good for them). When they are around, show them the peanut, and make a "tweedle tweedle" call (if you listen to them, you already know this call), toss the peanut nearby, they will do the rest. Very soon you will not need the blind, and they will come down around you anytime you are outside, and they will follow you around briefly. My wife or I are often followed around the yard, or out to the mail box each day, as everyone is looking for that peanut!! Even when working on things, they will come sit nearby and talk to us, the little beggars!!!!

They are not nearly as greedy as squirrels though, and will fairly quickly go off in search of other food sources. The Woodpeckers (Red Bellies and Red Heads) will do the same, even the Titmice will gladly oblige, although they are better at handling the pieces, though they will take a small full shelled peanut. We use a wild feed mix for everyone else, and they provide hours of birdy enjoyment, and we get quite a collection of songbirds and others during the winter.

Each afternoon (when weather permits) my wife and I sit out with out little dog, call the Jays and their friends, and toss peanuts. We have a contest between the Jays and the squirrels, see who can get to the peanut first, good harmless fun, especially for old retired folks!! It does take time for them to get used to the camera though, I think it is the size of the big "eye" at the end of the lens, makes them nervous. They do not mind flash/strobe use either, although I prefer to use reflected light in under the trees, looks more natural, or offset slave.

Enjoy and have fun!!!