They attacked me while snowshoeing today. Cute little buggers. Probably heard I knew Wendy and wanted to mug for the camera. It's funny, I've also seen these birds be unafraid of humans in a completely different location. I always considered this to be a chickadee, but I'm not positive that's right.
It was a gorgeous day getting out into the wilderness of Mt. Hood.
If you're curious about ID, ask hahn23 Guy seriously knows his birds...
He might wander in here of his own accord, but I'm sure he'd be willing to help you out.
I'm not too good with birds, and there are tons of chickadees that look super similar, but this doesn't look like one that I know, personally.
Here's a little video of the action. Be impressed I did it with one hand. I like the last guy's squawk of annoyance as the Clif Bar bits were already gone.
Thanks, spiritualspatula, for the recommendation. I do like to ID birds.
Gray Jays are called Camp Robbers in Colorado. They can be fairly aggressive. They're members of the Corvid family, along with ravens, crows, jays, magpies and nutcrackers. They vocalize a lot. Gray Jays have learned that humans are a source of food. Below is a photo of my friend Igloo Ed. I think the Gray Jay spotted some cookie crumbs in his beard.
Thanks, spiritualspatula, for the recommendation. I do like to ID birds.
Gray Jays are called Camp Robbers in Colorado. They can be fairly aggressive. They're members of the Corvid family, along with ravens, crows, jays, magpies and nutcrackers. They vocalize a lot. Gray Jays have learned that humans are a source of food. Below is a photo of my friend Igloo Ed. I think the Gray Jay spotted some cookie crumbs in his beard.
Sooo, why do you call him Igloo Ed?
BTW: I think "fairly" aggressive might be a little understated... I've had those bleeding things fight me over who owned the lunch on the table, and they really aren't easily dissuaded.
Thanks, spiritualspatula, for the recommendation. I do like to ID birds.
Gray Jays are called Camp Robbers in Colorado. They can be fairly aggressive. They're members of the Corvid family, along with ravens, crows, jays, magpies and nutcrackers. They vocalize a lot. Gray Jays have learned that humans are a source of food. Below is a photo of my friend Igloo Ed. I think the Gray Jay spotted some cookie crumbs in his beard.
Thanks, spiritualspatula, for the recommendation. I do like to ID birds.
Gray Jays are called Camp Robbers in Colorado. They can be fairly aggressive. They're members of the Corvid family, along with ravens, crows, jays, magpies and nutcrackers. They vocalize a lot. Gray Jays have learned that humans are a source of food. Below is a photo of my friend Igloo Ed. I think the Gray Jay spotted some cookie crumbs in his beard.
Can you possibly explain why I've not seen a challenge entry of one of this fellow's igloos at night?
It's on my bucket list to spend a night in one of these igloos. Igloo Ed builds them on a ridge between Dream Lake and Lake Haiyaha at about 11,000 feet. To see the igloo at night implies an overnight stay. Damn cold. I'll try to toughen up. SandyP knows Ed, too. She has this photo:
Can you possibly explain why I've not seen a challenge entry of one of this fellow's igloos at night?
It's on my bucket list to spend a night in one of these igloos. Igloo Ed builds them on a ridge between Dream Lake and Lake Haiyaha at about 11,000 feet. To see the igloo at night implies an overnight stay. Damn cold. I'll try to toughen up. SandyP knows Ed, too. She has this photo:
When I saw you say it was Igloo Ed I was wondering if he was the product inventor. I've considered picking one up, somewhat out of curiosity, but whenever I've done that sorta thing in the backcountry I've just done a quintzee, which works well enough even if you have to wait for the pile to consolidate once you've "gathered" it.
But I am admittedly still interested enough to get one on a whim someday...
ETA: it's warmer in such structures than you probably think. Quintzees, at least, are often above freezing all night even if it's down near zero outside (depends upon internal size and number of folks in it). I guess I'm more used to sleeping in just a tent, where you get far less additional insulation, so an igloo/quintzee is pretty lavish :)
