Scrub Jays!

Today I visited a place I didn't know existed.  Lyonia Preserve is part of the Lyonia Environmental Center in Volusia County. I went there for a "scrub jay hike" with a Meetup group.  It was my first time with the group, and it was a little not so organized, but OMG, the scrub jays were so much fun!

Backstory:  As my Few and Loyal Longtime Readers know, I worked for developers in Central Florida.   Putting aside "preserve" space for gopher tortoises, scrub jays, or any other protected species is just part of the business, so I knew what scrub jays were, I knew the importance of preserving their habitat, but never met them in person. Until today.

Holy crap they are adorable!!  They are so friendly and curious!  This is not a "tame bird in a nature park" phenomenon; this is their nature.  They do this wherever they are.  I'd heard about it for years, but never saw it until today.  They fly down to land on hands, shoulders and heads to check you out. I had one on my shoulder, checking out my water bottle, and another on my head.  I don't have any pictures of ME wearing a scrub jay because they move around so fast, and by the time they landed on me, most of the group had gotten bored and moved on.  But I do have some nice pictures of them NOT on me.

I also (despite an Environmental Studies class in college, and reading environmental regs for work things until my eyeballs bled) learned stuff about scrub habitat I either never knew, or had forgotten.  This place is a gem.  I wouldn't dream of doing it in hot weather, because Florida scrub in Florida summer = misery, but as a winter visit?  OMG, do it.