Wild Life / blue jay
their feathers are not blue
Hi, friends — It’s July 1! Say “rabbit, rabbit” and get the good luck. It’s hot as heck out. The black bears are swimming in pools. The bunnies are sprinting for breezes; the dog is smiling-panting; the bumble bees are drinking lavender; I can’t stop thinking about ice cream. We’ve been watching a lot of World Cup, and the emotional responses of fans across the globe have been pulling my heartstrings! The earth is big and full of life, all of us under the same strawberry moon. — Amy Jean
Blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) are one of those birds that are striking in bright blue but a little too ubiquitous here in the Northeast for me to pay much attention. I think of them as schoolyard bullies, but that’s probably unfair.
Blue jays are a little larger than most and make a lot of noise and steal robin’s nests, but they also chase away hawks and owls, providing some relief for other creatures. On the flip side, grackles and woodpeckers chase away blue jays. It’s all puzzle pieces, moving around, sneaking, avoiding each other, hiding in trees, making noise. Their alarm calls pierce through. I’m part of their puzzle, sometimes.
The crests on top of blue jay’s heads rise and fall depending on their mood. When the crest is down they are relaxed and comfortable. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one with its crest down; they save it for their friends.
Blue jays love peanuts (thank you, Wikipedia) and acorns and bugs and are fairly omnivorous. They mate for life and build nests and raise babies together. They bring their two shades of blue, cobalt and cerulean, into the canopy. The color, as with the feathers of other blue birds, is structural rather than pigmented. The light streaming through refracts, and we see blue.
Blue jays are smart. They see the big picture, perhaps, adjusting the puzzle as much as any of us. I can’t fault them for this. Someday I hope to see one with its crest down, all creatures at peace.
Blue jay links—
How close can you get to a blue jay? This is pretty good and I love that the jay is enjoying its breakfast with crumbs everywhere, squawking, crest down. A total delight. [via YouTube]
The blue jay “whisper song” sounds like a toy robot in this weird lil vid. The fat squirrel is winning, I think. [via YouTube]
Also—
It is summer, folks, and I’m feeling the heat and the need to take a nap in the shade somewhere. I’ll be back with more drawings next time. The black-eyed Susans and lilies are blooming bright.
Wild Life #62 / this free monthly newsletter is a place to learn about the life around us, one blue crest at a time. I do this because I’m not sure what to do about the millions of species in danger of extinction. It means something to see and enjoy the life around us. Please share with friends and family. Thank you for being there!
WONDERFUL, AMY JEAN!! WONDERFUL!