What's Your Nature?

Become a Nature Up North explorer to share your encounters with wild things and wild places in New York's North Country. Post your wildlife sightings, landscape shots, photos from your outings, and even your organization's events!

Blue Jay on Sawteeth

Posted by Jane Eifert,
North Country explorer from Goldens Bridge, NY
September 26, 2015

The photo I posted is actually of the view from Pyramid Peak, which is a beautiful spot between the summits of Gothics and Sawteeth in the high peaks region. During St. Lawrence's annual Peak Weekend, hosted by the Outing Club, I was one of 12 who participated in a roughly 16-mile hike to Sawteeth. We detoured to Pyramid Peak for lunch and storytelling before summiting Sawteeth in the early afternoon on Saturday. The whole day was beautiful. What really caught my attention, however, I don't have a photo of. Not long after crossing the footbridge and ascending towards Sawteeth, I noticed Blue Jay feathers all over the ground at the base of a tree. There were a couple dozen of them, mostly smaller and less vibrant-colored feathers, possibly from the underside of the bird. Because of the season, I don't believe it is from a young bird molting, so I can't help to wonder what happened. There must have been some sort of interaction with the Jay and something else...