Bob's Stellar's Jay

And I thought he was talking about what a "stellar person I was. But no it was this incredible picture of a Stellar's Jay. I have actually seen this bird when we were traveling out west.

Here are some cool facts about the bird.

• The Steller's Jay and the Blue Jay are the only New World jays that use mud in the construction of their nests.
• The Steller's Jay shows a great deal of variation in appearance throughout its range, with some populations featuring black crests and backs, and others blue. One black-crested form in southern Mexico is surrounded by eight other blue-crested forms.
• The Steller's Jay periodically irrupts away from its normal range. Most of these far-ranging individuals appear to be young birds.
  
• Steller's and Blue jays are the only North American jays with crests. The Blue Jay is expanding its range westward. Where they meet, the two species occasionally interbreed and produce hybrids.

Thanks Bob. Click on the photo to enlarge it and see the incredible detail of the feathers.