Subject: CLARKSTON SCRUB JAY:
Date: Apr 2 20:25:27 2002
From: Ruth Sullivan - GODWIT at worldnet.att.net


Hello Tweeters,
As Patrick already wrote we did going back to drive all the miles,to get
some good photos of this Scrub Jay.As we ended Saturday and did not find
this bird while several birders searched for this bird also.We figured out
where out we could look for this bird the next day.It was so cold on Sunday
morning .that i could not make my coffee on the little one burner propane
stove.It took over an hour to make my coffee and Marv went ahead searching
for the Jay at 5.45 AM.When we got there at 6.45 am,we found a note on the
gate from Marv.I knew ,before i even read the note,that he saw the Scrub Jay
already.As we got out of the car reading Marvs message we heared this bird
loud chattering away.This was the first time we heared him calling,when we
saw this bird the week prior,he made no sound at all.We located this bird
close to the gate on a large locus tree sitting low.I trying to take
photos,but with all the effort,the camera was dead.I realy was in
panic,since i knew this bird will not stay long in vision.We changed the
battery(lucky that i always cary a new one with me.)Now the Jay moved on
higher in to the tree feeding on the seeds of this locus tree.At one time
the jay flew deep in to the bushes,but after few minutes he came out flying
from tree to tree.Out of 22 photos i managed to get 10 good photos ,in all
photos showing the long smal bill and the darker gray breast.This bird as he
finnished feeding flew over the water to this island where no one can go,but
is perfect for this shy bird to escape.We waited onother 20 minutes,but
there was nothing than silence.We tryed again on our way home,but again the
Jay was not to be found
I also like to mention,this Jay looks more refind and elegant ,and not so
mean looking as our Coastal jays what we normal seeing.A verry special bird
i must say,what was worth the effort
searching for.

Ruth Sullivan
godwit at worldnet.att.net
Tacoma