The blue jay fledglings continue to visit on a daily basis, always together. They rarely venture more than a few yards from each other.
They are beginning to forage on their own, sampling insects they find in the grass and on the fence, but they haven’t started eating from the feeder.
I suspect most of their foraging behavior is driven by curiosity, rather than hunger. Their parents keep them well fed.
Both of them.
A few days ago, they discovered the water. They drank and bathed, copying their parents.
But they also spent a great deal of time dropping things in the dish. Leaves, worms, small twigs–almost anything they could pick up went straight into the water.
They seem to have solved the water’s mystery, since that first day, and I haven’t seen them testing it again.
I wonder if their parents watch them, like I do, and feel a twinge of pride as the fledglings explore and grow.
Rae Spencer 
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fledgling before – how sweet!
Loved this one, Rae! That’s fascinating about their experiments with water. These are smart little birds and it’s so interesting to follow their development, especially with your terrific photos.
Lovely photos and descriptions of your observations, Rae. Love this: ‘I wonder if their parents watch them, like I do, and feel a twinge of pride as the fledglings explore and grow.’ XO