This morning was a cool 58 degrees. We’re getting the first hints of autumn in the air. I filled the peanut feeder near the backdoor and pulled out my camp chair, positioning it under a Maple to enjoy my cup of coffee. I wanted to see who remains after Fall migration. With all the political and societal chaos, this is where I find my Zen.
Once I had been settled for a few minutes activity returned. First, a pair of Downy Woodpeckers traded spots on a large suet cake. A clumsy gaggle of European Sparrows flew out of the pines to the west and settled to ground. Next, surprisingly, was a family of Orioles; a male, a female and three juveniles. Most of the Orioles have already headed South so maybe these needed some last minute fattening before heading out. I won’t see them again for 8 months and I’ll miss them.
Next came the call from a Blue Jay in a Sugar Maple next to where my firewood is stored. You could imagine the call was about the peanut feeder being refilled. He was joined by a companion and they traded gutteral clicks and jeers. Once they decided I wasn’t a threat, one flew down for a peanut and returned to his perch. The other called with several loud jeers. This must have been a signal that the coast was clear and to come for peanuts because nearly a dozen descended from the Northeast.
Alot of folks don’t care much for Blue Jays. They can be rambunctious and somewhat devious. They’ll mimic a hawk call to chase away other birds so they can have the feeders to themselves. But they’ll also sound the alarm when raptors or other dangers are near and smaller birds often use this to their advantage by hiding when they hear the particular call. Being part of the Corvid family they have strong social structure, familial bonds and are smart. Over the summer I watched a parent teach a fledge about foraging beneath a Maple.
The black bridle across the face, nape and neck is distinctive and varies by individual. I like to think I can tell the individuals in this local group by bridle and behavior. Enough so that I felt compeled to work on a small (5 or 6 paintings on canvas) series of Blue Jay portraits of those that tend to “pose” for me. A small number are accustomed to me to sit still long enough for a few close-up photos before they head higher into the trees. It’s really for my own benefit in order to get reacquianted painting on canvas instead of birch panels…that’s what I’m telling myself.
This first piece is called Flynn..named after Errol Flynn. This Jay’s crest often lays slightly to one side reminding me of the leading man hairstyle from the movies of the 30’s and 40’s.
