12/16/2009

Some Things Money Can't Buy.


In my yard, just outside the side porch, there is a picnic table. You will rarely find me sitting there, but you will often find me nearby, with camera in hand. And chances are, you will see shelled peanuts and  a Blue Jay...


...or two, or three...

If you stand there long enough, there will eventually be five or six or seven or eight. Fiesty, flighty, squabbling, bickering brothers and sisters. Perhaps that's why I like them so. Just like our family!
I've written about Blue Jays previously, but now that it's winter my affection for them grows. They make landing in the snow look like it's fun.
As I write this it's -12 C (or +9 F) and no matter which way you put it, it's cold out there! It's dark and windy and snowy. I'm sitting in a warm home, with a crackling fire and music and a glass of wine. The Jays are nestled under a pine bough, hoping that by puffing up their feathers they will survive this night not fit for man nor me!
And they will too.
The shelled nuts, black sunflower seeds, nijer, finch mix and suet came to $59.50 at the farm feed store on the weekend. It'll last about a week. And it'll be worth every penny of incredible pleasure these feathery jewels give me that I will never own nor wear, but simply look at, if allowed.
As I filled the feeders on Sunday, I pished for the family of Black Capped Chickadees that are usually nearby. One appeared out of the lilac bush at eye level with me, not a foot away. So I held a few sunflower seeds in my hand, and he did it!!
He landed on my hand, quicker than a wink, lighter than a butterfly kiss.
I can't buy a gift like that, which is why I consider it priceless.

4 comments:

Mary said...

I have dreamed of a Chicky landed on my palm of peanut butter. Oh, your encounter made me swoon, Susan.

The setting is perfect - watching the Blue Jays and action at the feeders. The money we spend is worth every cent, yes. I agree.

Lovely post. I love Blue Jays and I hope one day they'll fly by and sit for a while.

Stay warm. The wine helps.

Mary

Murr Brewster said...

I made my sister a giant bird-landing hat, with a huge brim and a thistle sock and a dish for sunflower seeds on top, and branches all over it, and fabric leaves. She was supposed to sit on her deck and get landed on, but she was too little and the hat was too big and she couldn't hold her neck up that long. Maybe I should send it to you, you lucky girl.

We don't have blue jays. (Steller's, scrub...) I miss them. So natty.

Susan Ellis said...

OMG!!! I want that hat!!! and the drugs , ya, they'd be good too! Forget a picture's worth a 1000 words, your words just painted the best picture ever!

Richard King said...

Nice photos. They look kind of surreal.