Short Stop to Photograph Florida Scrub-Jays
On my way to Patrick Space Force Base I made a short stop at the Helen and Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary to photograph Florida Scrub-Jays (FSJ). I’ve been to this sanctuary once before and easily found the Scrub-Jays, with one even landing on my head. On this trip I was hopeful to get some new shots of the bird in preparation of our February meeting of the TAS Photo Club which will focus on the FSJ.
The Helen and Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary is 140 acres of pine flatwood which is perfect scrub habitat for the FSJ. There is a large population of banded birds here, as well as some unbanded birds. In the photos below you’ll see a mix of banded and unbanded birds.
I arrived at the site at midday, but an overcast sky kept the harsh shadows at bay. There were alot of people there though. The sanctuary is well known for its friendly FSJ population so folks come out to see, photograph, and unfortunately, sometimes feed peanuts to the birds. Feeding FSJs is against park rules (there are signs everywhere so no one can claim ignorance) and its also a violation of Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. So while folks think they are helping the birds by feeding them, what they are actually doing is creating a dependency that hurts the birds in the long run. During this particular visit, I did see a family feeding peanuts to the FSJs. It’s a difficult predicament when you see a father showing his kids how to feed peanuts to the birds when there are signs everywhere saying that behavior is illegal. I also feel it’s not my place to correct a father in front of his kids, so I took their photos with my phone and reported it to FWC. The FWC provides us with four ways to file a report:
Report via the “FWC Wildlife Alert” app. Download the app onto Apple or Android smartphones or tablets using Google Play or the Apple Store.
Text 847411 (Tip411) with keyword “FWC” and information about the violation
Call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922)
Submit a tip at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert
I used the first option, reporting the violation on the “FWC Wildlife Alert” app. Download the app now if you haven’t already. It’s easy to do and keeps you from getting into an argument with a knucklehead.
Florida Scrub-Jay. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 310mm, f/6.3, ISO 1600, 1/1600 sec.
Florida Scrub-Jay. I’m not sure what this FSJ found, but it looks like an insect. Insects, lizards, frogs, and acorns make up their diet. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 280mm, f/8, ISO 1400, 1/1250 sec.
Florida Scrub Jay. Acorns like the one this FSJ found are an important part of their natural diet. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 290mm, f/8, ISO 2200, 1/1600 sec.
The FSJ is the only species of bird that is endemic to Florida. They are beautiful birds with bright blue feathers and are about the size of a Blue Jay. The group of birds at this sanctuary have grown accustomed to people and are not afraid of them. The birds will fly right up to you to see if you are going to feed them, and will hang around for a bit either on the ground or in nearby trees. As photography subjects, they are about as cooperative as you can get from a wild bird.
In addition to protections afforded by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act (which applies to the FSJ even though it doesn’t migrate), the FSJ is protected as a Threatened species by the Federal Endangered Species Act and the aforementioned Florida Endangered and Threatened Species Rule, Chapter 68A-27.
Florida Scrub-Jay. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 600mm, f/6.3, ISO 1800, 1/1250 sec.
Florida Scrub-Jay. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 320mm, f/8, ISO 1600, 1/1250 sec.
I looked forward to the FSJ presentation that will be given at the February meeting of the Tampa Audubon Society. I am really interested to hear if there has been any new surveys on bird populations since COVID. I think the last report I saw was dated 2018 so it’ll be interesting to hear how the birds are doing and if efforts to relocate them to safe habitats is working.
Alright, that’s it. This weekend I’ll be fully involved in the Space Coast Birding Festival so I look forward to taking lots of pictures and sharing them with you.
Happy birding!
