Spotted Nutcracker

Spotted Nutcracker is a large member of the Crow family and moderately common at around 2,000 metres above sea level in the coniferous forests. In principle, taking a photograph of this species should be straightforward but in reality, they tended to fly at some distances from the tracks and above tree height and were very wary when people were close. On descending from my high altitude walk, I noticed movement in deep shade on the edge of the track. It was a Spotted Nutcracker feeding and which flew repeatedly from the shade into bright sunlight and back again. This was a photographer’s challenge therefore resulting in this case in a less than excellent photo but one which I felt I would add to the site as I’m not sure when I shall next see this species.