Food 🙂 They are very curious, and quite habituated with hikers. All I needed to do was place a small nut in the plan of my hand and one of them would fly right down, perch on my finger tips, and eat it.
Yes it was! Even though I was really happy with the photos I got once we reached the summit, one of which is the last photo in my Weekly Challenge: Layers post, this was the highlight of the hike.
Easy, stick out my hand with a peanut or small piece of my Clif Bar in my palm. They swoop right down and land. The pair of them actually came out of the trees at a trail junction like they were waiting for us. Can’t wait to see them again!
All I had to do was show up and put out my hand. It was the coolest thing. I’ve seen quite a few other photos of these birds doing this with other hikers, but this was the first time for me. I’m not sure if all gray jays are this “friendly,” or just the ones that have been habituated with people. We were on Crawford Path, the oldest continually used mountain trail in America, so I’m sure these, and many others of the species, have encountered many hikers over the years.
I would be SO TICKLED to have a bird land on my hand and then take a photo ! He looks so perfect I enlarged it to examine his perfection….ahem…. realness 🙂 Great photograph Jeff !
The only thing disappointing about the experience is that the photos I got with my iPhone, of which this is one, came out better than the ones I tried with my DSLR. Trying to hand hold, with one hand, in the shade, and focus on the bird, is harder than you would think 😉
I waited to comment because I wanted to hear how you made the shot – I was sure it was photoshopped Jeff! What a terrific experience – you definitely captured the moment to perfection! well done.
New theme and I rearranged a few things on the side bar. The theme really isn’t that different than the one I had been using, but in this one my photos are larger.
Thank you. I love your new look, really motivates me to get over there and check out all the posts I’m behind on. Of course at the rate you’re going I’ll never catch up 😉
You’re still a few birds up on me. The pair of gray jays I encountered are the only live birds I’ve had in my hands. One thing’s for sure, there really wasn’t much coaxing involved. As soon as they realized there might be some food in it for them all they wanted to do was land in my hand.
Thank you! I’m planning on hiking this trail again very soon just so I can visit with the birds. I am hoping for more snow on top of the mountain too, but the birds are so much fun.
That IS the coolest thing! How wonderful, I bet you were so excited and trying so hard not to scare the bird off while taking the shot too! Fantastic 😀
Thanks! It was really cool, and they kept coming back for more treats, so we had plenty of opportunity for a photo. I am a little disappointed that I wasn’t able to hold my “real” camera steady enough with one hand to get a nice sharp photo, so my iPhone had to do.
How did you manage to get it to stay on your hand?
Food 🙂 They are very curious, and quite habituated with hikers. All I needed to do was place a small nut in the plan of my hand and one of them would fly right down, perch on my finger tips, and eat it.
whoo hoo that’s cool!
Yes it was! Even though I was really happy with the photos I got once we reached the summit, one of which is the last photo in my Weekly Challenge: Layers post, this was the highlight of the hike.
Wowwwww!!! How the heck did you manage that? It’s awesome!
Easy, stick out my hand with a peanut or small piece of my Clif Bar in my palm. They swoop right down and land. The pair of them actually came out of the trees at a trail junction like they were waiting for us. Can’t wait to see them again!
coooooooooolllll
B)
You are lucky, man ! 🙂
Thanks, I sure think so! 😀
“…is worth poop on your palm.” 😉 Great shot!
Bwaahahaha! 🙂
What a great photo!
Thanks!
You can feel the life in the tiny feet, amazing photo.
Thanks! I was really surprised at how cold they were.
AMAZING!
I sure thought it was!
I’m so-o-o-o-o happy for you. Wish it were me. And your bonus: a terrific image too.
Thanks Sally, if you’re ever in NH, and interested in a 2+ hour hike, you too can get a handful of bird 😀
HOW did you do this???? Amazing creature !
All I had to do was show up and put out my hand. It was the coolest thing. I’ve seen quite a few other photos of these birds doing this with other hikers, but this was the first time for me. I’m not sure if all gray jays are this “friendly,” or just the ones that have been habituated with people. We were on Crawford Path, the oldest continually used mountain trail in America, so I’m sure these, and many others of the species, have encountered many hikers over the years.
I would be SO TICKLED to have a bird land on my hand and then take a photo ! He looks so perfect I enlarged it to examine his perfection….ahem…. realness 🙂 Great photograph Jeff !
The only thing disappointing about the experience is that the photos I got with my iPhone, of which this is one, came out better than the ones I tried with my DSLR. Trying to hand hold, with one hand, in the shade, and focus on the bird, is harder than you would think 😉
I was picturing the logistics…WOW an iPhone..amazing!
Do you know what kind of bird it is ?
Peter, this is a gray jay, you can find more information about them HERE
Wow!
That’s whatI said! 🙂
Absolutely the coolest 😀
Most definitely! The sunset along with the full moonrise was pretty great, but the birds were the best part of the hike.
I waited to comment because I wanted to hear how you made the shot – I was sure it was photoshopped Jeff! What a terrific experience – you definitely captured the moment to perfection! well done.
Nope, no PS at all. The birds were more than eager to land in my hand if they thought they would get something to eat.
That is soooo lovely! Great pic.
Thanks! It was the highlight of my day.
To get a bird on your hand and to take a photo of it at the same time is something else. Well done!
Thanks! My iPhone was at the ready 🙂
It’s not often you get to experience these things!
This is a first for me. I’ve a few close encounters with wildlife, but nothing like this. Glad it was a bird and not a bear though 😉
I thought you had changed the layout of your page, not the theme?
New theme and I rearranged a few things on the side bar. The theme really isn’t that different than the one I had been using, but in this one my photos are larger.
That’s a good choice you have made, Jeff.
Thank you. I love your new look, really motivates me to get over there and check out all the posts I’m behind on. Of course at the rate you’re going I’ll never catch up 😉
😆 I remember you to be quite quick when you put your mind to it 😉
I have to agree! : ) very cool.
I’ve only managed to coax nuthatches and chickadees to my hand – no Grey jays here, though.
You’re still a few birds up on me. The pair of gray jays I encountered are the only live birds I’ve had in my hands. One thing’s for sure, there really wasn’t much coaxing involved. As soon as they realized there might be some food in it for them all they wanted to do was land in my hand.
Amen-amazing shot!
Thank you! I’m planning on hiking this trail again very soon just so I can visit with the birds. I am hoping for more snow on top of the mountain too, but the birds are so much fun.
That IS the coolest thing! How wonderful, I bet you were so excited and trying so hard not to scare the bird off while taking the shot too! Fantastic 😀
Thanks! It was really cool, and they kept coming back for more treats, so we had plenty of opportunity for a photo. I am a little disappointed that I wasn’t able to hold my “real” camera steady enough with one hand to get a nice sharp photo, so my iPhone had to do.
Neato!!!