Steller's Jay

One of the very nice parts of my "dayjob", as a senior scientist with USGS EROS, is that I do a good amount of field work in the summer, which takes me all over the country.  I nearly always bring my camera along, and try to get a little birding in during evenings or other free time. 

This was during a trip to the eastern side of the Cascades, from Washington down through northern California.  This gorgeous Steller's Jay was kind enough to pose in wonderful lighting for me, and with a wonderful position and mouth open.  Photo taken on June 21st, 2008 near Mount Lassen in northern California.