Birds of Blue in July

Before this year, Blue Jay visitors would skedaddle just as soon as they noticed us looking at them. But this year there are youngsters coming to the suet and they're pretty bold. This one is just outside the kitchen window, and it's wide open, no glass between us (hence the sharp photos). 

I know some folks are down on Blue Jays, but since they can't get in to our Bluebird house and I haven't seen them bothering anyone, I have no complaint. Apart from maybe taking more than their share of suet!

July 18, 2014: We still see quite a lot of our young Bluebirds (almost 2 months old). These shots were from a sequence that lasted about 6 minutes, when they appeared to be trying to snuggle up with each other as the evening cooled.
It is not the only occasion when we witnessed this behaviour.
There are more shots I hoped to include in the sequence, but it looks like 4 is the limit.

Spring Bluebirds 2014

Ma Bluebird.

A simple sequence of two images, not fake or shopped. 

Sometimes I think birds look pretty cool when they're wet. 

Ma and child after the rain. 

July 6 Birds (2014)

Photographed July 6, 2014, Paris Twp. Ohio

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 

 Any closer and I wouldn't have been able to focus.

A composite of some others seen today

  Another composite. The warbler at top right was rather distant. The young male Hairy Woodpecker and Titmouse are in the same actual shot.

All these were kitchen-window shots, mostly with the window open. 
Canon Rebel XT with EF 70-200 (+extender) lens.