Eagle & the blue jay (12 photos)

[Lou Buscher]

Some people have asked why a small bird will dive and harass the eagle when it is so large and powerful a raptor? Good question and one that really can’t be answered by many people well to do in the world of the eagle. This sequence of photos I am going to post show a blue jay diving continuously at a female eagle in her nest and protecting her youngster from the jay. The only reason I can come up with for this action is the jay has a nest close or somewhere in the eagle’s nest. I photographed this happening back on June 7, 2005 when we went to band the youngster but could not climb the tree due to bees, many, many bees in the dead pine trunk. The tree has fallen since then and the pair has a new nest close by which I will get to visit soon. I photographed these from a distance of about 350 to 400 feet with a D70 and a Sigma 800MM.
Lou
1 Mom is catching the movement of the jay not in the picture yet.

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[TheBear]

that's some interesting behavior

 

[Lou Buscher]

2 Here comes the jay, right to the left of her

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3 See him he is now up by the trunk to the left.
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4 the jay passes very close to the eagle, just on the left of her
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5 there he is up at the top again but she has her eye on him
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6 now he is over to the right and above her
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[Lou Buscher]

7 he is right on top of her head

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8 how’s this for brave?
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9 back up top right again, also it is about 95 to 98 degrees this day
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10 is this a beauty or what?
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11 A blue jay trying for a purple heart this day
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[Gale]

Wow brazen aren't they.
Good shots of the event Lou.
Thanks for digging those up:>)))

 

[Lou Buscher]

12 this was pretty much the end of it but I was glad to see it end as the heat was unbearable this day

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Thank you for your patience in viewing this long post.
Lou

 

[Lou Buscher]

Wow brazen aren't they.
Good shots of the event Lou.
Thanks for digging those up:>)))

Thanks Gale you missed the last one.
Lou

 

[Gale]

No, I awlays go back and view for more info or pics:>)) Especially when it come to nature and wild life:>))
Thank you

I think the Blue Jay wore himself out.
The Eagle held her nest and protected that baby
Good pics.
Not so easy with 800mm:>))))
Good job

 

[hangin tree]

That is a amazing series Lou

I've never seen such a insistent bird

 

[Blue]

Love #8 :smile: What's the chain on the left?

 

[Lou Buscher]

No, I awlays go back and view for more info or pics:>)) Especially when it come to nature and wild life:>))
Thank you

I think the Blue Jay wore himself out.
The Eagle held her nest and protected that baby
Good pics.
Not so easy with 800mm:>))))
Good job

OK That is good to know Gale and thanks again for the look.
Lou

 

[Lou Buscher]

That is a amazing series Lou

I've never seen such a insistent bird

Gary you won't believe this but in my files I have a Kingbird chaseing an eagle in flight and landing on it's neck, HONEST. I'll see if I can find it. Thanks for the look
Lou

 

[Lou Buscher]

Love #8 :smile: What's the chain on the left?

Good eye Blue, that chain is for a teather line, holds a pully used for climbing. It is placed on the first climb and a lite nylon rope is threaded through the pulley and tied off high enough so other people can'd reach it. When we get there to band we have an 8 foot aluminum latter to reach up to the rope and also so the climbers don't puncture the preadatator guard (aluminum flashing placed around the base of the tree). The lite rope is than used to pull a strong nylon line up and is fastened to the climber for safety. Climbers are used on pines only as they will help kill a hardwood. For this condition the climb is done like you would a cliff and once up there the pulley is placed and used on the next climbs to make it a bit eaiser. I'll see if I can post something on it as I have many photos.
Thanks for the look
Lou
www.loubuscher.com