While cross-country skiing in Olympic National Park, I came upon a small flock of Gray Jays. These curious jays are accustomed to following bears and humans, hoping to get scraps of food that these big and variously hairy mammals leave behind. I shared a power bar with several jays (don’t tell the National Park Service!), and this one stayed for a long time as I took about 80 portraits of it. This was my favorite, with the jay’s feathers all puffed up to protect the bird from the cold. I love the way it cocked its head, in what appears to be a very human and questioning look.

SIZE: This photograph is printed at an approximate final size of a bit over 3x3,” and is printed on cotton rag photographic paper using pigmented inks for an estimated 400-year display life.

LIMITED EDITION: This photographic print is part of a limited edition produced by photographer Lee Rentz. The edition consists of 250 prints, which includes all sizes and methods of printing.