molting season

All the birds are preening and dropping feathers as they do their post breeding molts: Getting rid of the damaged feathers and making room for new growth. This blue jay feather has split ends. Too bad the birds can’t just trim of the damaged bits like we do. Losing feathers–especially flight feathers–leaves them vulnerable for several weeks to a couple of months. Coming across a colorful feather like this feels similar to finding a perfect piece of sea glass on the beach. A treasure like all the others, but a little more memorable for being so exquisitely colored.

damaged blue jay feather (Cyanocitta cristata)