Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.
Henry Van Dyke
To be a Blue Jay
In a blur of white, black and blue
You flew into my garden -
Landing under the feeder,
Pecking at the ground,
Picking up seeds,
Hopping around
Unbothered by my watching.
I want to live like you-
Able to fly from danger,
To pierce the silence
of the cold morning air
With the longing call
of my wild heart,
Unashamed.
I want to land softly
In the warm grass -
To dance in the sun,
and then just take off
for the trees when it’s gone -
leaving this comfortable cage
behind.
A blue jay and its partner are nesting in one of the trees behind my house and are regularly visiting the feeders in the yard there. I chose the opening quote not just because I think people should be able to share their talents, but also because the blue jay’s call is annoying to some people. Loud and piercing. Personally, I love the sound - especially on an otherwise bleak and quiet day.
Here is a link to check out if you want to hear the sounds (and learn more about the birds) : Audubon Society: About the Blue Jay (with sounds) - The calls I most often hear are the Jay (or Jeering) and the hawk imitation calls; but I recognized most of the other sounds; not realizing they were Jay sounds too.
This bird is very calm and curious. I read that when they are afraid; the feathers on top of their heads stand straight up - so he was unafraid, hopping around and tilting his head from side to side.
I also read that they are not really blue, but that the color is a trick of light … here’s a link to that explanation, if you’re interested: NOT in Blue.
Holding a little seed in its mouth and looking ready to jump again.
Pensive.
Standing tall and unafraid.
may my heart always be open to little birds who are the secrets of living
e. e. cummings
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