The Thrilling Dance of Sharp-shinned Hawks and Steller's Jays

A Nature Lover's Delight

We are really having fun watching the interactions of three Sharp-shinned Hawks and our 22 Steller's Jays. The jays try to eat peanuts while dodging the dive-bombing hawks. The action is fast and furious! Here is another blog comprised of many days of Facebook posts on my business page. Be sure to follow me to see daily posts!

Day 1 – The Rivalry Begins

In the forest edge around my yard, the Sharp-shinned Hawk and Steller’s Jays are locked in a daily duel. It’s not just predator and prey — it’s a territorial standoff, a test of speed and nerve.

Day 2 – The Surprise Attack

Out of nowhere, the hawk drops from the trees like a guided missile — silent until the last moment. The jay barely escapes, calling out its alarm as the forest explodes with sound.

Day 3 – Flight School

Sometimes it isn’t even about catching food. Young hawks practice these chases to sharpen their timing and learn how prey reacts — nature’s version of flight school.

Day 4 – The Feather Grab

Sometimes the hawk only snags a few feathers — a quick show of dominance, a warning. It’s not a failed hunt; it’s a message: This is my airspace.

Day 5 – Jays Hold Their Ground

The Steller’s Jays don’t scare easily. They band together, scolding the hawk in a chorus of rattling calls. Boldness can be its own best defense.

Day 6 – Airborne Acrobatics

Sharp-shinned Hawks weave through the trees like ghosts. Their short, rounded wings and long tails are built for maneuvering. Watching one twist through branches at full speed is pure poetry in motion.

Day 7 – Mistaken Targets

Every so often, the hawk locks onto a jay it can’t handle — bigger, stronger, defiant. It’s a humbling reminder that even top predators misjudge their match.

Day 8 – A Battle of Wits

Two masters of vision face off — the hawk with razor focus, the jay with instant reaction. Both depend on their sight to survive, and neither one blinks first. Notice the blue feathers on the ground between them. Ouch!

Day 9 – Learning Curve

Every near miss, every feather plucked, teaches the hawk something new. By winter, it’ll be faster, wiser, and more efficient. Survival is a skill — one earned through repetition.

Day 10 – Aerial Strategy

The hawk flushes prey with sudden movement, hoping instinct takes over. The jay knows the trick — ducking into cover or flying low near safety. It’s a daily game of instinct and adaptation.

Day 11 – Balance in the Backyard

These clashes look fierce, but they’re part of the balance. Predators stay sharp. Prey stay vigilant. Together, they keep the forest alive and alert — the wild at work.

Day 12 – Exit Blocked

The jay normally can make a flip or turn in flight and cause the hawk to overshoot his position to make for an escape route. Not this time!

Day 13 – Seeking Safety

The smart jays head for the safety of the forest to evade the hawks. This one did just that after this photo.

Day 14 – Nowhere to Go But Up!

This jay is really pulling for altitude in this image. What an incredible display of feathers in this desperate climb maneuver.

Day 15 – Hot Pursuit!

One last image of these incredible interactions before I begin the next series, which will be Sharp-shinned Hawk vs. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Yes, you read that right! Wait till you see these wild images!

Be sure to follow my page Keith's Frame of Mind so you do not miss a single episode. I hope you enjoyed this series as much as I enjoyed creating it!