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).
I thought I would put up a photo of little Billie, for those who have not yet made her acquaintance.....
Nice to hear her tale again, Margo!
~~~~~~~~Now, that's downright weird! On my pc the photo looks fine, and whenever I put it on here, it comes out upside down! You'll just have to stand on your head, now LOL!!
OG: ~Congratulations to Granddaughter #2 - quite an achievement, getting into a Youth Orchestra. Standards seem to be high these days.
Rita: Where are you? I thought perhaps you were away, but now its been ages. Do hope all is well.
We are still not decided on a venue for tomorrow's lunch, but certainly there will not be half of us there: as well as the poorly couple, several of those who were coming a long way just for the event are now not coming.
MY OH has been up a ladder, just because I said how much moss was on the roof ~ its a bungalow, so not too high, but scary nonetheless. He scraped it out of a gulley and cleared the front gutters. We moved all the tubs with bulbs in them so that a certain small person can't dig them out, and I pruned a rambling rose. Also took away the skeletons of our Sweet Peas, which have still been trying to flower even this late, but this year they were hardly worth growing as I could only pick enough for a tiny vase each time.
LINDY sorry you are still not feeling 100%. Hope you find a suitable venue for your get together.
OG Many congratulations to your Grand daughter you must be very proud.
DIANE Sounds an interesting recipe. I haven't time to scribble it down as we are having an early meal before going to see "Cosi fan Tutte" at Eden Court. We would usually go early and have a glass of wine before the performance, but not tonight. I am now more than half way through "gosober" for October and am thrilled at the money I have raised for "Macmillan Cancer Support. If any of you would like to sponsor me please go to www.gosober.org.uk. I have signed under my full name Elizabeth Lewington. Anything is gratefully received.
A SMALL CAT
I'm only a small cat, and not one who's pushy, at that.I came out of the bushesLooking for caring:It didn't take much to give me a scaring.
Here, I've found my Shangri LaAlthough I arrived via a noisy carAnd from not much too far away ~ I'm really glad that on that day,You reached out a handAnd took me in. (I had been sleeping by the bin.....)
Now heaven's here: I get the Best!I really pity all the rest, who have to braveThe winter weather - for me, nowIt's different altogether.
I sit upon the human's chair.She strokes me, sometimes brushes my hair.When I can, I pinch the sofaI've turned from scared, into a loafer.
I watch birds from my windowsill....My human doesn't like to kill, but if I got the chance,Oh! my! You would see the feathers fly.Still, it's nice to watch them all go by.
When I'm cold, I snuggle up.My human likes to cuddle tooWe sit together just like two pups:You love me, and I love You!
Well done, dibnlib: :-) hard to think that this month is already halfway gone.
Morning all:
Lindybird: I absolutely couldn't cope with 14 people under any circumstances. Truly. And no, you're not being mean. Maybe ready-made eats from Sainsbury's or similar would work? Let us know what you all decide. And yes, as OG says, you have been rushing around a lot lately. Take it easy please. Hope upside down photo of Billie isn't indicative of your state. :-) Dust storm was in Phoenix, Gdd et al are farther north near Prescott (think pine trees). So how long did your Ode to Billie take - all of 15 minutes?
Margo: What a lucky puss Billie was to find you! Still such a nice story - and so well told.
BrendaH: Hmmm. That's a long time since we heard from Rita. Thanks for checking back so far... Does anyone have contact info for her?
OG: Oh lovely that Gdd#2 has been selected for an orchestra. Where is UCL (Gdd#1's uni)?
Heather: How is grandson doing? (This is the one who was so upset when parents split, right?) I bet you and your OH have given him lots of encouragement.
Rosy: Bring it on indeed! I hardly wore any warm clothes last winter - so must dig them out of the closet and see if I need anything - very doubtful unless the moths have taken up residence.
dibnlib: Brilliant you are helping with GoSober's efforts. Enjoy the opera.
Diane: I'm happy to start the new thread today - may not be right on time but don't want you to feel obligated.
Have been re-potting more succulents and am now going to go scouting neighborhood garage sales for little tables, etc., to put them on and arrange around the edges of the patio. Our Sanitary District is having an Open House today - yes, I know, very sad when that's the big social event of the weekend but I may tootle over there to see how it all works. They're offering prizes - Lord only knows that that might involve!! :-))
Lindy the poem brought tears to my eyes. Thanks it is just tremendous. Back from our steak meal, well fed and ready for Strictly.
ANNETTE- Yes,grandson Callum is the boy who was very upset when his parents parted. He remains fond of his father but I can see that he is protective of his mother.
OG- my thoughts and prayers are with you and I fervently hope that the cancer can be dealt with swiftly and without being too invasive.
Margo- I also think of you often and am overwhelmed by your courage and optimism. You have set a marvelous example for us all!