10/23/2024
In early May 2024, Hannah and I were on day trip driving back down Mt. Baker Highway after a snowy morning at Picture Lake. The entire landscape was covered in snow, and Picture Lake was covered in snow and Mt.Baker was hidden beneath the clouds and falling snow. Hannah was curled up in the passenger seat, enjoying one of her signature āVanEtten snoozesā as we descended from Picture Lake, the road gently weaving through the towering evergreens
But by noon, nature called, and I knew it would be a long way to an open restroom. I pulled over at a quiet spot, the kind of place where the world feels still, and stepped out without waking her. As I walked back toward the car, something remarkable happened. I noticed a flutter of wings and realized I was being watched by a flock of gray jays.
Without thinking twice, I pulled out the all-natural fruit snack bar from my bag and broke off a piece. Holding it out in my hand, I watched in awe as one jay flew right up and perched in the palm of my hand, snagging the treat before darting back off to the trees. Soon, others followed, and before long, I was surrounded by these curious birds, each taking turns landing on my hand for a bite.
I knew Hannah would love this. Gently, I opened the car door and whispered her name. āYou have to see this,ā. She stirred, her eyes slowly focusing as she emerged from her nap. Stepping out of the car, she gasped as she saw the jays fluttering around us. I handed her a piece of the snack bar, and she extended her hand cautiously. Within seconds, a jay landed lightly on her palm, its tiny feet barely pressing into her skin as it took the treat.
Her face lit up with pure joy, and we stood there together, feeding our new feathered friends as light snow continued to fall around us. The world felt wonderfully small in that momentājust us, the gray jays, and the quiet whisper of the snowy mountains. Time seemed to slow down as we shared glances, both amazed by the unexpected magic of this simple encounter.
š· Canon 5DS R; 100mm macro & 70-200mm