A Lovely bird

Today I nipped out, just for an hour and knew just where I was heading for. The area of 'Apple Dumpling Bridge', I have frequently seen quite a few Jays there so I was hoping against all hopes of getting a good photo. I can't remember just how many shots I have tried at catching this shy and elusive bird on camera.

Parking up I could hear them but no sighting as yet, I did see the Green Woodpecker and tried to sneak up on it but it saw me!

 A short distance away I disturbed a Jay in the undergrowth burying an acorn, it flew but not far so I waited in the -1 degree cold and sure enough it came back and with 2 others in trees on either side of the area.  Using a wide tree trunk, (and knowing me you would need a wide one!) I used it as cover while slowly getting closer. Standing to the side of the tree I was amazed it didn't seem fazed by my being there and managed these shots.  I have no idea whether male or female and apparently it can only be found out from Bird ringers that have handled them.

They are part of the Crow family and it has been suggested they could easily 'plant' around 3000 acorns a month so in that respect they do a great service to our woodland areas.