A day much like yesterday, but with fewer clouds. And a lifer.

Twenties (F) in the shade, warmer in the sun. No elk, a few deer, juncos, a pair of accipiters, a cooperative flicker, a random towhee. But about midway through my hike with dog, I heard a somewhat odd call, followed it with my eyes, and saw a bird light on the tip of a juniper quite a distance away. A flash of blue. Turned my camera that way just as it flew. Managed only one halfway decent photo.

But through the viewfinder I saw what looked like it might be the elusive Steller’s Jay. (Elusive, at least, for me. Been keeping my eye peeled for weeks and months.) I had to wait to see what the photo might show.

Welp, sure enough, the ID was clear: dark head, blue body, crest, white mark on crest. A Steller’s for sure.

I’d call this a memorable day.

Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 9:15 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up the mountain.

1. Song Sparrow (v)
2. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay**
3. Black-capped Chickadee
4. Dark-eyed Junco
5. Black-billed Magpie*
6. Sharp-shinned Hawk
7. Northern Flicker**
8. House Finch* (v)
9. Steller’s Jay†
10. Pine Siskin (v)
11. Cooper’s Hawk
12. Spotted Towhee

Elsewhere

13. Eurasian Collared Dove
14. Lesser Goldfinch (v)

Mammals

Mule Deer

(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere