My life is complete

[luzula]

A Siberian Jay has fed from my hand. ♥♥♥ I didn't manage to get that moment on camera, because they're quick! But here they are:



They are reddish-brown birds in the Corvid family that live in old-growth forest in the taiga. Although they live so far from human habitation, they are inquisitive birds that will happily come and share your meal when you take a break from cross-country skiing. They are one of my favorite birds!

For good measure, here is also a view of the landscape I'm skiing through:

Comments

[auroracloud]

Oh goodness, both the birds and the landscape make me feel homesick for north. I've seen Siberian jays fairly often in northern forests (not for years now, though, as I haven't been there) but I've never had one feed from my hand, so bravo to your bird skills!

[luzula]

I think they've been taking advantage of lots of other skiers and have grown tame, so I probably don't have any mad skills. : ) But the north is beautiful though, I do agree!

[foreverdawning]

Oh wow! That picture you took of the landscape is beautiful! And those little birdies are just so darn cute.

How is cross country skiing? I've never done any kind of skiing before, but it looks calming and lovely.

[luzula]

Thanks! Yes, they're so cute. I've been cross-country skiing since I was a toddler, so to me it just feels like the natural way to move around when there's snow on the ground. It gets a bit hypnotic, when it's flat and you're just going along--it's like hiking or running that way, I suppose.

[isis]

Ooh pretty! We finally got snow today so I see a similar view, yay.

[luzula]

Snow! \o/ I'm spending two weeks with my parents in a rented cabin up in the north. I love all the skiing, and I do like spending time with my parents as well, though I wish for a little less familial friction at times.

[china_shop]

That's so cool!

Gorgeous photos. ♥

[luzula]

Thanks! : )

[karanguni]

What a snowscape!

[luzula]

I know! I love these landscapes, and traveling through them. I think it's part of why LHoD appeals to me so much.

[ride_4ever]

These pics are made of joy! TYK for sharing!

Where "up north" are you?

[luzula]

I'm in northern Dalarna! So actually just in the middle of Sweden and not that far north.

[abbylee]

What a good day. It always makes me happier about the world when you share them :)

[luzula]

I am glad to share the joy. : ) I mean really, I'm going to be happy for at least a week about that bird feeding from my hand.

[sarren]

Wow, wow, wow, wow.

[luzula]

I am so happy to spend two weeks skiing up here!

[seascribble]

\birb!/

[luzula]

I am going to be happy for at least a week about that bird feeding from my hand!

[sage]

oh my goodness! *stares in awe*

[luzula]

I was up above the treeline today, that was also stunningly beautiful! I'm so glad to spend two weeks up here.

[brigantine]

Oooo, that's so lovely, it's like something right out of a storybook! I half expect a handsome wolf or reindeer to stroll across that open space.

The jays are charming. So cool that one came to you for a snack! \o/

[luzula]

There are actually no reindeer in this part of Sweden, they are further north. But there could be a wolf! We don't have a lot of them, but we do have them.

[toft]

Lovely photos!

[luzula]

Thank you! : )

[ceruleancat]

I'm torn between what joy and awesome in the original sense of the word.
Nature magic.

[luzula]

Yeah, I can get shivers down my spine from views like this.

[mergatrude]

Oh, how wonderful! There's something special about wild birds feeding from your hand, isn't there?

And what spectacular scenery, which is giving me a much-needed cooldown feeling. Thank you!

[luzula]

Yes! I suspect these ones have been using skiers to get treats for a long time though, so they have probably done it before. But it still made me happy!

Wishing you cooler weather!

[mergatrude]

When we go to the beach the rainbow lorikeets are so accustomed to people that some of them will sit on your hand to eat a piece of apple. It’s delightful that wild birds will do that.

[riverlight]

Oh how BEAUTIFUL!

[luzula]

It really is! I'm so glad to be up here.

[sanguinity]

Oh! They're reddish-brown! That was a surprise -- all the jay species here are blue or bluish-gray, it never occurred to me they'd be part of a different colour palette.

And the jays here are smart and inquisitive, too. And they know where all the human-frequented hiking, camping, and viewpoint spots are, and thus the places they're most likely to get handouts (or be able to thieve something when a human isn't looking!)

[luzula]

Our other jay is also mostly reddish brown, though it has some blue markings as well.

It's funny, the Siberian Jay mostly lives in old-growth forest far away from hikers, and yet it's very sociable and curious when it meets one. But of course the ones I got pictures of here are used to being fed.

[hyarrowen]

Oh, so beautiful, and the jays look very cheeky!