For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Good morning everyone! It’s cool, cloudy and just a bit misty out there this morning. The birds are certainly active though. When I put the feeders out this morning the little chickadees were flying all around me waiting impatiently for me to get those feeders hanging in their places. After that was done I came back inside and put some peanuts out for the blue jays. What a beautiful flock of blue that came rushing down from the trees and onto my step, and railing of the deck. 15 blue jays gathered together is a wonderful sight.
But they all have to wait their turns, well, most have to wait. Some manage to sneak in and get a peanut while the top blue jay is busy trying to figure out which ones he wants to take with him. There is an order among the blue jays. There are 4 top blue jays, but they each give in to the blue jay over him. So the top blue jays eat first. It has it’s perks being at the top. But it also has it’s dangers too. When danger comes along, in winter for example when the shrike shows up, then the top blue jay is the first to go and attack the dangerous intruder. Then the second, third, fourth, then the remaining males which would be the young ones.
The females stay back and hidden where it’s safe. The males do the fighting and always protect the females. By doing this they also protect the smaller birds. So blue jays are not only beautiful to have around, they are also beneficial by helping to protect all the birds at the feeders. And blue jays, who are extremely watchful for danger, are also a good early warning system for all the other birds. The chipmunks have all gone to bed I guess. Even though it was sunny yesterday no chipmunks showed up. But it is rather cool now and getting cooler the next few days.
Theodore was here for a while yesterday, though she didn’t really stay too long. When I got home from shopping she was here and I still had my mask on so I don’t think she recognized me right away. But she was fine after a bit of talking to her. It’s a strong cold wind out there this morning, but it’s still a beautiful day. The pictures I’m showing today are from yesterday, the sun was shining so nicely, though it was still a very cool day. I hope you all have a most wonderful Wednesday and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
Β©2021 Steve McLeod.
Interesting to learn about Blue Jay hierarchy
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Thanks so much Sheree!
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you know your blue jays! sorry to hear the chipmunks are gone until spring…
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Thanks Jim, comes from years of study. Yes, always sad when the last of the chipmunks go. And 6 months before they return, perhaps more.
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that’s the circle of life, I guess…
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Yes, very true.
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Steve, I appreciate learning more about Blue Jays. Believe it or not, a lengthy batch of autumn weather is on tap for central Ohio. Hooray!
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Thanks Richard! Isn’t that a bit early for you to get autumn? Right now it feels like we are close to winter, but it’s supposed to warm up a bit next week.
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Our average high temps right now should be upper 60s, but summer has been sticking around . . . mid-80s tomorrow.
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Oh my, such nice temps! We’re 52F today, a bit warmer than the last couple of days, tomorrow should be 47F.
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So beautiful beating able to see all this activity in the morning π Itβs like a movie βοΈπ
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Thanks for that Ribana! Hope you have a wonderful day ahead!ππ»βββ
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Wonderful β news β about the blue jays ! Nice pics ! Our blue jays arrive very early in the morning…sleep well ! ππ»π΄
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Thanks so much Sharon! Have a good night too!ππ»ππ΄π΄
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So lovely written π·πβ₯οΈand the park, the blue Jay, the goose all looking gorgeous ππ»π
Wonderful photography ππHappy Wednesday to you and Muffin π·πβ₯οΈπ·
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Thank you so very much for your kind words!ππΊ I am having a great day,πβ hope yours was good too,πππ and have a good night as well!πππ΄πΌπ
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