I'm taking a nap - do you mind??

[tupe]

I was looking for waterfowl last week when I noticed this bluejay lying in the grass, apparently injured.
He lay there while I took this shot, agitated but immobile. But when I moved the car forward a few feet
for a better angle, he flew into the brush and perched.

http://typelogic.com/photos/napping-jay.jpg

[WepWaWep]

Scary to think he may be sick. We have west nile here and I pray that our feathered friends stay healthy.

And the shot is very nice, really clean colors and very sharp.

[cfcRebel]

Nice capture Joe. I hope the bird is not sick or injured. I have yet to get a good blue jay shot :???:. They are everywhere.

[amtphoto]

I think it was "sunning" or just drying from a bath. I see them do that im my back yard now and then (I've seen the wrens do it too). Good capture.

[Gary Fairhead]

I have Jays in my yard and I see them most places I go. I have never seen one lying on the grass for whatever reason. Its not likely that it would let you approach and photograph it in that state unless it was sick or injured so I think your observations are correct.. In our area Bluejays and crows are are investigated when found dead as they are an alarm bell for West Nile Virus. Hopefully this is not the case here.

[dale65bama]

Odd behavior! Maybe it was "anting". Some birds will allow ants to crawl on their feathers. Some will also pick up ants and rub them on their feathers. Proably associated with getting rid of mites or other bugs.

Dale

[tupe]

Thanks WepWaWep, Fee, amtphoto, Gary and Dale for the comments and insights. I can't quite figure how it was able to perch if it couldn't stand, but perhaps if injured it wasn't disabled.

I know what you mean, Fee. The jays abound here, but are fairly wary.