Blue Jays

For a short while I lived in a place where Blue Jays frequented my bird feeders. I still recall the thrill of excitement at seeing that first flash of blue.

They truly are incredibly beautiful birds and it's a good thing too because their personality leaves a lot to be desired.

They attacked any other bird that came near the feeder, squawked incessantly and even fought with the squirrel.

You knew the moment it arrived from it's harsh call and the noise continued until it left but somehow I still felt very pleased to see it there.

They are very intelligent and can mimic the call of a hawk to scare away other birds if their bullying tactics don't work.  They did it quite often whenever the competition for the bird seed became too much,  They'd sit in the trees above and do the hawk call and the other birds would dive for cover leaving all the food to them.

Custom Dated Blue Jay Bird Watercolor Art Double-Sided Heart Ceramic Christmas Ornament by countrymousestudio

Blue Jay Bird, Watercolor Nature, Wildlife Pillows by countrymousestudio

Watercolor Blue Jay Bird Collection Tee Shirts by countrymousestudio

Elegant Birthday, Blue Jay, Bird Nature Wildlife Greeting Card by countrymousestudio

Seagulls

If you have ever lived near Seagulls you will know how vocal they can be and because I lived beside a huge river, seagulls were part of every summer day.

They called when the wind whipped up the waves revealing new food, when someone plowed or tilled the soil, when it looked like rain and whenever it looked like someone was eating.

They knew what a food package looked like or perhaps they could smell it, I don't know but somehow they always appeared and waited for french fries at a fast food place or bread crumbs at a picnic.

When I moved to the city,in a different province, although there are three lakes surrounding it, the lack of food keeps their numbers to a minimum so I really missed them.

I was very happy one day when I finally heard a flock calling. I looked up sure enough they were following children in a playground. I began to keep an eye out for them and noticed that they knew when recess and lunch hour at school was. The moment the kids got out the seagulls arrived. They circled the children calling out as if begging. On one block we have two schools and a little corner store where the kids make a daily trek for goodies. The seagulls follow faithfully there and back but the moment the breaks are over and the kids disappear so do the seagulls.

Watercolor Seagull in Rain Fun Retirement Greeting Card by countrymousestudio

Always make time for the Beach, Cute Seagulls Tees by countrymousestudio

Congratulation Promotion From Gang Seagulls, bird Greeting Card by countrymousestudio

Great Horned Owl

We have a tall Pine tree just across the street from our home and at the top is a nest originally built by Red Tailed Hawks. The first year the young pair built, it blew out during a windstorm. The second year, they'd figured out the engineering and it stayed.
For two years the hawks nested and raised their young but the third year, in March, before they'd even begun to think of nesting, a Great Horned Owl pair moved in.

Great Horned Owls do a great deal of communicating... all night long while they were hunting you could hear the pair calling to each other.
I expected to hear the babies once they were born but not a sound came from the nest.

We weren't even sure they had successfully hatched until their fluffy white heads popped up.

Then one very early morning while walking my dog, I looked up to see a baby owl wobbling on the phone line above my head. He was as curious of me as I was of him and we kept each other company for quite a while.

From then on, I watched for them but it was only a matter of days before momma had convinced them to fly further and further away.

This year neither hawk nor owl have nested and I really miss them.

Owl with Attitude Ladies Tshirt by countrymousestudio

Funny Insulting Cute Owl Birthday Card by countrymousestudio

Watercolor Owl Bird Nature Art Up Close Throw Pillows by countrymousestudio

Chickadees

If you have been to my Zazzle store you will notice that I also love Chickadees.
It always makes my day when I see one. There is something incredibly cheerful about their upbeat little song.
You never have to wonder what kind of bird they are, between their outstanding black and white color and announcing their own name they are hard to miss.

I have gone for many walks in the forest while they followed me. Flying from tree to tree they sing out and pretend they are really intent on finding a bug.

I haven't figured out if they are territorial and want me out of there or if they've come to associate people with food.

I remember seeing them at my outdoor dogs feed bowl. They love bones and scraps of meat, especially during the winter but will happily settle for sunflower seeds.

I find that after I've drawn one picture of them, I just think of another I want to do and have limited myself somewhat to just a few but I think as time goes on I'll keep adding.

Watercolor Cute Chickadee Bird Nature Art by countrymousestudio

Cute Chickadee Bird in Poplar Tree Double-Sided Heart Ceramic Christmas Ornament by countrymousestudio

Cute Chickadee Bird in Poplar Tree Tee Shirts by countrymousestudio
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Bears

Black Bears have always been plentiful where I live. Everyone has stories about seeing them or having a close encounter with them out in the forest, at the dumps, in their yard, school etc.

At one time, we lived in a Provincial Park and all of the residents went to the dumps in the evening to watch the bears and as long as food was available and we kept our distance in our vehicles, they never bothered us.

Often in the fall, they'd wander through our yards licking bbqs, checking out compost bins or fruit trees and searching out other sources of food.
They never harmed anyone and if we yelled at them or dogs barked, they would just leave.

Where I live now in the city, there are many orchards so in the fall the bears come in looking for fruit but because it is a city, they don't get a second chance and if caught they are usually shot.

I did a Google search out of curiosity to know how many bears were killed in our province and found this news story;

From 1992 to 1996, approximately 245 grizzlies and 4246 black bears were shot in British Columbia because of perceived and actual threats to human safety...
I was stunned by the number of them.

These photos are my tribute to these incredibly beautiful animals.

Best Poppa Bear Ever Fun Quote for Dad Pillows by countrymousestudio

Best Poppa Bear Ever Fun Quote for Dad Tees by countrymousestudio
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Magpies

I painted this Magpie because I have recently grown so fond of them. I live about 2 blocks from my workplace and have discovered that the Magpie family that I feed at home has their nest in some trees at work.

When I go out in the yard at work now, they call to me as if wondering where the food is. If I don’t put any food out at home they sit on my roof and complain until I do. Apparently, they’ve figured out that I’m the same person at both places and aren't shy about asking.

This picture is an attempt to show some of their charming personality and incredible colors. At first glance they appear black and white but if you study them in sunlight, you will see they are iridescent blue, green and purple.

I know they have a bad reputation with some farmers who claim they attack vulnerable livestock and yet the Chinese consider them good luck and say they will bring happiness. I prefer to believe this.

They are part of the Corvid family which includes crows and ravens. Recent studies have proven this family to be very intelligent and once you get to know them you won't have difficulty believing it.

During the summer, I've seen them searching for bugs under parked vehicles. They walk under the frame and look up all along the tires and undercarriage. The moment they spot a bug they hop straight up and grab it. It's quite comical to watch. I will have to try and capture video of it.

Magpie Ornament by countrymousestudio

Mouse, Mice, Country Mouse

Why mice?

 I like them.  

They are into details like me.  

Very quiet, which I like to be.

 Why country mouse? 

 Because I was born and raised in the country and would love to be back there but due to uncontrollable circumstances I live in the city 

and

 because I love nature and all things country.

This is my favorite little fellow and my first mouse art.

Cute Birthday Cute Peeking Mouse Fun Greeting Card by countrymousestudio

then came this little guy.  I often feel like him - just hanging in there.

Cute Little Watercolor Mouse Hanging In the Grass Throw Pillows by countrymousestudio