Blue jay, finally...

After numerous unsuccessful tries to shoot a decent pic, I finally could catch one of "my" skittish blue jays.
Shot at the end of the afternoon, with some remaining sun light.
I like the shadows on the bird - but C&C welcome.
Thank you for watching.
Gérard.

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Very nice shot. If you put out some peanuts, either unsalted in the shell, or better yet, shelled peanuts, they will come to your yard all day. They also like field corn on the cob or whole kernals, or even cracked corn. I put an old dead stick from the woods in the ground that gives them something to land on first, then put the corn or peanuts nearby. They land on the stick, then I shoot them there before they go for the food.

canonloader wrote in post #8119093
Very nice shot. If you put out some peanuts, either unsalted in the shell, or better yet, shelled peanuts, they will come to your yard all day. They also like field corn on the cob or whole kernals, or even cracked corn. I put an old dead stick from the woods in the ground that gives them something to land on first, then put the corn or peanuts nearby. They land on the stick, then I shoot them there before they go for the food.

Thanks for the advice.
Until now they have liked the black sunflower seeds, along with the Cardinals and Doves (that is, until the squirrels ate the plastic bottom of the platform feeder - I need to find a solution that will protect the platform from the furry bandits).
I had given thought to the peanuts also, but again I'm weary about the squirrels: I fear they will eat 80% of the peanuts and leave the wasted rests for the Blue Jays? I cannot imagine that the squirels don't like peanuts? Same thing for corn and the like I imagine?

Mitch beat me to the peanut advice. You could try putting a few out every so often when you are home to watch, once they get a taste they will be right back for more. Unless the squirrel finds them first, the Jays won't leave much behind.

I may try a platform on a pole, protected by a baffle - it works on another feeder.
Thanks again.
Gerard

You can also try safflower seeds, the jays like them along with the cardinals and just about all the other birds you get with the sunflower seeds. The best part is the squirrels don't like them so they will leave the feeder alone.

I have one feeder with sunflower seeds, one with safflower, and some suet cages for the woodpeckers.

Until now I have avoided the safflower because according to some tables less birds seem to like them (than the sunflower) - If I can be sure that the B Jays and Cardinals like them though, I could give it a try - especially if that rids me of the tree rats!
That being said, I'm definitely starting a peanut-feeding-period - just to see what gives...
Thanks Waas.
Gerard

I was worried too, but since I made the switch I think I have more birds. I do still keep one smaller, more squirrel proof, feeder with sunflower, so the birds that like it still come.

The safflower also lasts three times as long because the squirrels don't dump it.

GMHY wrote in post #8129456
Until now I have avoided the safflower because according to some tables less birds seem to like them (than the sunflower) - If I can be sure that the B Jays and Cardinals like them though, I could give it a try - especially if that rids me of the tree rats!

(a) It will not rid you of the tree rats. (b) I sure haven't noticed fewer birds with the safflower seed I use in one feeder.

jgrussell wrote in post #8130408
(a) It will not rid you of the tree rats. (b) I sure haven't noticed fewer birds with the safflower seed I use in one feeder.

well, I know they will always be here - but if they don't raid the safflower feeders it's enough for me; they can still eat the seeds other than safflowers that fall on the ground.

By the way I tried the unsalted peanuts - put some yesterday evening, and in the morning a Blue Jay had already discovered them, as well as a Chickadee.
Tonight, a male Cardinal was feeding his youngster pieces of peanuts - super!

Gerard