Gray Jay

This jay was keeping an eye on me … checking to see if I was going to bring out any food. I see the gray jays often in the Olympic National Park … where there are lots of them year-round. Folks break the “do not feed the wildlife” rule frequently … often holding their snacks out in their hands … which will bring the jays down to eat out of your hand. This, of course, has just reinforced their begging and stealing behaviors. When I’ve been out backpacking, I’ve had to be very careful while fixing/eating dinner … I don’t backpack food in for the birds!