I've been leaving peanuts out on the balcony in attempt to make friends with local corvids. Haven't managed to catch anybody in the act...until this morning. 1/

I call this one Hitch (as in "You've got a hitch in your git-along") on account of that bum right foot. They're one of several Steller's Jays who live in the neighborhood. 2/

I took these photos through the bedroom window, so Hitch was unaware of my presence. Lingered a while. 3/

Another Steller's Jay showed up this afternoon. I was out on the balcony this time, and Jay did NOT APPROVE. Grabbed a peanut and flew off into the trees to eat in peace. 4/

They got the second peanut without even landing on the railing - just bounced once and kept on flying. I got one shot of them with the third peanut; totally missed them on the fourth one. Kept coming in from different angles. I swear I heard them laughing in the trees. 5/

Between peanut runs, Jay paused long enough for me to capture his magnificence in front of a redwood. 6/

Oh my goodness, this bird. I think I'm falling in love. 7/

Bonus birb: I think this is a Nuttall's Woodpecker? One of a pair that lingered in the Coast Live Oak this afternoon. 8/8