HAPPY NEW WEEK!
Last week's Chat thread is here.
I had a funny bird experience a week or so ago. I put it on my Facebook page, and I thought some of you who like corvids might enjoy it.
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I heard something drumming outdoors on the sill under my kitchen window. I assumed it was one of the woodpeckers again. Both the Red-Bellied and the Hairy woodpeckers have persisted in pecking there this year. (Some delicious larvae must be under that wood.) I said, "Stop that!" The bird quit briefly, and then started again. I shouted, "Now, quit that. You know you can't do that!" A head popped up at the bottom of the window!
A huge Blue Jay stared at me. He was sitting on a small branch that rests against the wall of my house. He was so cute! I told him he had to stop damaging the window. He climbed up the branch and looked in at me, cocking his head. He didn't screech. He just put his face as close as possible to the glass. He looked so comical that I was laughing. I stood still, but I talked to him for several moments. At one point, he started warbling like he was trying to imitate me. (Blue Jays are corvids and are great mimics. They're known for imitating hawks, so they can clear the vicinity of other birds and have all the food.)
This jay's head crest was down, so he wasn't the least bit distressed -- just curious, I guess. He walked up the branch and looked back at me once more before he finally flew.
Blue Jays differ in appearance. They can vary a lot in their facial characteristics and coloring. This was the biggest one I've ever seen, and he had an odd look with a larger face and eyes than the other jays on my patch.
He could be a subspecies from somewhere else. He may have been a migrating bird or possibly an east coast bird who flew here to get away from Hurricane Joaquin, which was threatening at that time. I even wondered whether some Green Jays from Texas have found their way here and are interbreeding with the blues. I don't know whether that's ever been documented or is even possible.
I smiled all day thinking about the little fella. I hope he has a good winter with lots of food available.
Everyone have a great week!!! Monday night is the New Moon (the dark moon).
Morning all:
dibnlib: Re bikejoring (at least that's what I found on Google); these are the kinds of sports that I read about and think 'but why?' I just read a report that plain old vanilla bike injuries are on the increase among older folks (and the subjects were younger than I!) Good your friend wasn't too badly hurt.
Nice to see you WendyB.
Lindybird: Amber: pretty name; pretty little girl.
Diane: Owl photo reminds me of a plane they used to call the Super Guppy.
Our nighttime high temps are almost exactly what our daytime highs are supposed to be at this time of year. :-(
Whew! Just waved our visitor off: we had a bearable day - took her to Dunham Massey Park for the morning, which is a place I have posted photos on here of before. Looked at the grounds, and the House from the outside, and enjoyed a coffee in their new visitor centre. Then off to Bents in Lancashire: that's the huge Garden Centre which takes ages to walk around. They were busy gearing up for Chr...mas and there were already a whole lot of decorations on view. I bought some cards & calendars, a colouring book for Tomasz, and found a tiny silver angel with Amber's name on it. We looked at just about everything, seasonal or otherwise, and then had some nice lunch in their excellent cafe: My OH and his cousin had Hotpot with a suet crust, & veg, and I had Quiche which was chicken and pepperoni and was delicious. Afterward we couldn't fit in any dessert, which was a shame as what we saw going past for other people looked out of this world.
A leisurely drive back and a welcome cuppa with a choc biscuit this afternoon. Cousin chatters on, some of which we just let drift by us.....
Edit: It has made me resolve not to chatter too much in future, myself, LOL!!
I know just what you mean with that last sentence, Lindy.
I do know some people who talk non stop, but I am afraid I may well be on the way to that myself. Note to self- redouble the effort!
thanks ANNETTE it isn't the first accident my friend has had. The trouble is that she is about 5' 4''. and so has no protection....unlike me. It isn't a good time for my friends. Another friend has her 80year plus Mum in hospital after having a fall. Her Mum had broken her hip and also internal bleeding. She has had an op, but will be in hospital for a while and then a couple of weeks in rehab.
Another Autumn day so barrels troughs etc sorted untill next year.
Phoned vet and Daisy on her ear meds now as it occurs now and then and brings on her episodes. Only in her ears once and she is perky again. So quick to respond so like children.
Glad that Daisy is going to be alright, Wendy. We do worry about them, just like children, too!
Long story as she is the grandchild I will never have..
Both my girls have made their choice in life and accept that.
Watching the big build with Harry and Wills..
Autumn seems to have come for us all (in UK) now. Lots of leaves fallen here today.
Annette, Interesting about your daughter. I hope she doesn't overdo the work and study. I have been revising my knowledge of the geography of the States. I had thought that Spanish was taught in schools in all of them, as a second language. My g/daughter is being taught in Ohio.
Lindybird, Your grandchildren are lovely. Are there three of them? Lucky you, if you see them quite often.
dibnlib, I agree with Annette, you friends biking activities are not something i think I would try. Sorry she got hurt,but glad not too badly.
Rosy: That's my granddaughter - Spanish is taught in schools, but you don't have to pursue it to an advanced level (I think that's what I mean). GDD had it in high school, but often that's the last some people need to study it. Whatever I said (too lazy to click back!) I meant that it's often, if not a requirement, then a definite asset for job applicants in California. The other thing is, we have many young Hispanic people who have grown up completely fluent in both languages. Oh don't ask me what I'm talking about; I'm not making much sense to myself - must be the prolonged high temps!