Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
I feel as if I am still being constantly reminded of the many Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) around with acorns crunching under my feet and calls of busy birds screeching out of yards, parks, and woodlands. They can look so vibrantly blue on sunny days, but that color is caused by sunlight being scattered by specialized cells in their feather barbs. Yep, the Blue Jay has no blue pigment! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSundog
I have always called these sundogs but I know they can have a variety of names. This is a very bright spot of light that can pop up along the sun. In my experience this happens often during pleasant, cool weather associated with high pressure and cirrus clouds. The light reflects off ice crystals in the atmosphere making it appear red closer to the sun and blue further away as seen here. The sky is always offering us something to examine. In this case it looked very much like something reentering the atmosphere! At least in my imagination…
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