Friday, June 27, 2025
Blue Jays: The Bossy, Brilliant Backyard Bosses
Fun Fact Corner
A group of Blue Jays is called a party. Which feels...accurate.
They’re part of the corvid family — the same brainy bunch as crows and ravens.
Some Blue Jays migrate, some don’t. Nobody really knows why. They like to keep us guessing.
If birds had a reality show, the Blue Jay would definitely be the loudest contestant, the one stirring the pot, making the alliances, and looking fabulous doing it.
These flashy blue-feathered dynamos aren’t just a pop of color in your backyard — they’re the drama, the fashion, and the brains of the bird world all rolled into one. Let’s take a peek behind the feathers at the life and times of the ever-charismatic Blue Jay.
🎤 The Loudmouth of the Forest
Blue Jays are not shy. If a Blue Jay lands in your yard, you’ll know — your neighbors will probably know too. Their calls range from squeaky-door sounds to mimicry so good they’ve been known to imitate hawks just to scare off the competition (drama queens or strategic masterminds? You decide).
🎩 Dressed to Impress
With their crisp white bellies, dapper black necklaces, and that electric blue crest that looks like it belongs in a punk rock band, Blue Jays are always dressed for the spotlight. And that color? It's not actually blue — it’s a trick of the light caused by the microscopic structure of their feathers. So basically, Blue Jays are walking optical illusions. Magic birds.
🧠Secret Bird Geniuses
Don’t let the loudness fool you — these birds are smart. Really smart. Blue Jays can plan ahead, solve problems, and cache food for winter with squirrel-level efficiency. And yes, they remember exactly where they put it. Meanwhile, I can’t find my keys most mornings.
💬 Social (and Occasionally Snarky)
Blue Jays are family birds. They mate for life, help raise each other’s chicks, and travel in tight little cliques. But they also defend their turf with impressive enthusiasm. If you've ever seen a mob of angry jays divebombing a cat, hawk, or squirrel, you've witnessed a very blue, very feathery version of neighborhood watch.
☕ Backyard Buzz: The Bird Gossip Edition
Other birds definitely have opinions about Blue Jays. You’ll hear the chickadees whispering. The cardinals pretending not to look. The crows? Frenemies at best. But love them or loathe them, Blue Jays own the backyard stage — and they're not giving up the mic anytime soon.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Magpies: The Feathered Drama Queens of the Bird World
If birds had their own reality show, magpies would absolutely be the stars — loud, flashy, and always up to something. These sharp-dressed troublemakers are ridiculously smart too. They can recognize themselves in mirrors (which is more than some people), plan ahead, use tools, and even throw what looks suspiciously like tiny bird funerals for their fallen friends.
Magpies also have a serious attitude problem. They’ll yell at cats, dogs, people, the wind — anything that moves (or doesn’t). They adore shiny objects, holding the title of "glitter-obsessed raccoons in feathered coats." And yes, they remember faces. So if you annoy one, expect the grudge to last.
Folklore can't decide if they're lucky or cursed — in some places, a single magpie spells bad luck, but two bring joy. In China and Korea, they’re good omens. Native Americans thought of them as helpful companions. In your backyard? They’re probably pulling up seedlings and harassing robins.
Love them or fear them, magpies make sure life is never boring — and that’s why we can’t help but watch the drama unfold.
Friday, June 13, 2025
Hummingbirds Everyone's Favorite
Who doesn't love a hummingbird?
According to the experts these are foolproof methods to attract them:
At one time we lived in an area that had plenty of them so I put a feeder outside my kitchen window and enjoyed watching them all day.
We lived in the country, and I am old so we still used a clothes line. After washing clothes, I went out to hang them.
The line was alongside the deck by the hummingbird feeder.
As I reached up to clip the clothespin to the line, I felt an incredible vibration.
It was a little Rufous hummingbird whizzing by my ear. Such an unusual experience: the vibration, the sound, and just a blur of color was something I'll never forget. It felt otherworldly somehow.
The little guy wasn't worried about me at all. He continued past my ear to the feeder, and I watched and enjoyed him all summer, but never had another encounter so close.
1. Be consistent in keeping the sugar water feeder full
2. Grow bright red tubular flowers such as bee-balm, trumpet vine, penstemon, cardinal flower and jewelweed throughout your yard.
3. A feeder close to shrubs, trees or foliage is safer than one in the middle of an empty lawn.
4. Don't worry about eliminating little bugs attracted to the feeder as sometimes the hummers eat them too.
5. Add a birdbath that cats can't get close to
Then if you're in an area where hummingbirds are, these methods should work for you.
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Birdwatchers Spring - Best Time of the Year
Not only are birds in the middle of migration, finding a territory, finding a mate but also nesting and raising their young. They are in full color breeding plumage and singing their hearts out about it all.
My mother sparked my interest in birding when I was very young but as I get older I find my interest grows. It's perfect. Not only are you out in beautiful, restful, peaceful nature but you have a challenge ahead of you. Finding the elusive singer or the owner of that flash of color you just spotted. It calms and excites at the same time.
I was delighted to hear that birdwatching is gaining popularity. If you're the competitive type there are competitions to attend, journals to fill, and life lists to work on.
Birding has never been easier, thanks to the free Merlin Bird ID app, available for download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You can also access the app through the All About Birds website. Just this past month alone
I've introduced 4 people to the app and help create 4 prospective birders.
The app offers various features to help you identify birds, including:
Sound ID: Identify birds by their calls and songs.
Photo ID: Identify birds from photos.
Explore Species: Discover bird species in your area or other locations.
Many times I heard a bird but if you couldn't see it how did you describe the sound? It was almost impossible. Then if it happened to be a plain brown bird like the Verry it was impossible. I've looked for over 30 years to find out what it was then walked into a forest and the bird was singing. I held up my phone, recorded the song and it immediately identified it. So thank you Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University for creating it.
Who's Watching Who? The Curious Case of the Hawk with Binoculars
There I was, perched comfortably in my lawn chair, binoculars in hand, ready for an afternoon of tranquil birdwatching. My checklist of feathered friends was at the ready. The air was crisp, the birds were singing, and I was prepared to spot the elusive hawk soaring through the sky.
But then it happened.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a familiar flash of wings. I turned my binoculars skyward, waiting for the majestic silhouette of a hawk in flight. Instead, I locked eyes with… a hawk peering back at me through binoculars.
Yes, you read that right.
This wasn’t any ordinary hawk. This was a clever, inquisitive bird with a keen sense of humor—and a set of binoculars that put mine to shame.
It was as if he was saying:
“Hey, buddy. You’re not the only one watching. I’ve been keeping tabs on you for weeks. That slightly mismatched sock? I saw it. That snack stash you think you’re hiding on the back porch? I know all about it.”
Suddenly, the tables had turned.
🎨 The Art Behind the Bird
Inspired by this hilarious mental image, I picked up my watercolor brushes and set to work. The result? A whimsical original watercolor painting featuring a hawk peering through binoculars, almost as if to say,
“Look who’s birdwatching now, human.”
This painting isn’t just about capturing the beauty of nature—it’s about celebrating the quirky, unexpected moments that happen when we take the time to slow down and observe. It’s a cheeky reminder that nature might just be watching us right back.
🦅 Perfect for Bird Nerds (and Those Who Love a Laugh)
Whether you’re a dedicated birder with a lifelong list of sightings or just someone who loves a good chuckle, this painting is for you. Hang it in your home, office, or she-shed and let it remind you:
Birdwatching is a two-way street.
Nature has a sense of humor.
And hawks? They’re way cooler than we give them credit for.
🎉 Get Yours Before the Hawk Spots You First!
This original watercolor (and its prints, cards, and posters) are available now—just don’t wait too long, or the hawk might see you coming.
Because when it comes to binoculars, it turns out that hawks are naturals.
Monday, May 19, 2025
Black-capped Chickadee: Tiny Bird, Big Memory (and Bigger Attitude)
"Chickadee: Fluffball Genius in Disguise"
Don’t be fooled by the adorable “chicka-dee-dee-dee” call — the Black-capped Chickadee is a survival mastermind. Every fall, they basically hit “refresh” on their brain, growing new neurons so they can remember hundreds of hiding spots for food.
Imagine updating your phone’s memory every season, but cuter. Also, the more "dees" in their call, the higher the emergency level. (Translation: "Dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee!!" = "Something is trying to eat us!")
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)