Haloweenie with Ken and Stevie!

[finnbay]

Quote:

I always know I can expect something outstanding when I see a "..with Ken and Stevie" topic show up

That is an extremely humbling compliment. Thank you, and thanks to all and your kind words!

[ShawnZ]

I have really been getting the itch to go out to my favorite bog spot and this series has definately got me scratching! Love your gray jay pet shots, but the spruce grouse images really get me excited. Definately a species that I wish we had around the Duluth area.

[Jim Jensen]

Those Gray Jays pictures are great. I have never seen one, do they not have a fear of humans or was this a a rare occurance?

[Steve Foss]

Gray jays are among the wild birds most comfortable around people, and are easily brought right in with food, particularly when the weather is cold. I've had them eat off my hand, off my outstretched foot, and now off my hat and a camera lens.

They are called camp-robber jays by many because they'll ghost in on silent wings and land right alongside your dinner and snatch a few morsels.

They don't tend to like larger groups of people, but they do zero in on human activity because they've learned the humans tend to leave behind things that gray jays can eat.

[finnbay]

These birds become accustomed to people quite easily. Around here many times they're called "camp robbers" because they recognize when there are people at a campsite and are quite good at picking up bits of food even while the campers are present. I've had some swoop in and pick up stuff right out of my hand when I wasn't expecting it.

[Steve Foss]

Geez, Ken.

[Jim Jensen]

That is amazing, I think I will have to make a drive north someday soon to see them for myself.

[Steve Foss]

Many times on winter photo excursions there seems to be nothing else moving besides chickadees and gray jays. They are a Godsend!

[finnbay]

Sorry! We've been sittin' in the car on our rides too much together!

[MN Shutterbug]

The first time I ever saw a Gray Jay was when a buddy and I were camping along the Kawishiwi River by Ely, many years ago. I put some dog food out for my springer and the jays were driving my dog nuts. They'd swoop down and grab a pellet, and my dog would take off after them. My dog was smart enough to figure out she couldn't do much about it, and gave up after awhile. It was quite entertaining.

Myself and JayinMN had a fun time shooting them in the bog last winter. I may have to make a return trip this winter.

[Paul]

Ken, What in the world was that overly large looking white thing on the end of your camera body? 500?

[finnbay]

Yep.

[Matt Breuer]

Great stuff as usual boys! Love the dark-looking gray jay shot, and the spruce hen of course.

[Steve Foss]

More spruce grouse pics coming tonight to whet your appetite a bit, Matt. I was out with jmalm today and we found 7 spruce grouse.

[finnbay]

Wow! The motherload! Your spot or mine?

[Steve Foss]

They were all over down the roads we hit on Sunday, as well as on some trails. Only saw one ruffie, and that was being chased through the woods by a pair of hawks. Usually the numbers run the other way around. A strange reversal.

[mojo54]

Neat pictures.