New Friend - Stellar Jay

 Prior to moving here I had never met a Stellar Jay.  I had a few run-ins with a Blue Jay who thought I shouldn't be feeding the squirrel, chickadees or anyone but him.  He let me know whenever anything came near HIS birdfeeder and then proceeded to chase them off.  Even the squirrel relented.

I knew Stellar Jays were in this area but it wasn't until the peanuts started appearing everywhere I realized something was up.  They were hidden in my plant pots, behind deck furniture, in the garden, on tree branches and everywhere you can think of.  We had squirrels so I assumed it was them.

One day I went out to the garden and something shrieked at me.  I looked up at my very first Stellar Jay.  How could anything that beautiful have such a shockinly annoying shriek. It took a few visits for me to realize it was protecting a nest in my Cedar tree.  It was also taking peanut hand outs from one of my neighbors and stashing them in my yard.

I keep fresh water out because it is very much a desert if not watered so I get many different kinds of birds and animals so she was welcome.

Over the next few weeks I got to know her routine and we put up with each other then once the babies were gone I never saw them again.  

This year I've been home more and doing more gardening and bird watching.  They must have chosen another spot to nest in because they weren't around until about a month ago.  Then the peanuts started appearing again so I purchased my own bag and left out a handful every day.

My daughter came to visit and we were sitting out in the yard when I saw the shadow swoop over my head.  First came the shriek then two more.  She was right above my head so I went in and got some peanuts.  I set them out by the water and she came immediately to grab some.

When she took her first one she zipped up the tree and said, "caw, caw, caw." just like a crow.  So she's bilingual apparently.   I told her she wasn't a crow and she flew away carrying her peanut.  She tried to stash it in a tree but it kept falling and by the time she got back to the peanuts another Stellar Jay was there.  The two began shrieking at each other and flying at each other like an attack.  I picked up the peanuts and separated them so they could each get some.  They'd continued their battle in the tree for awhile but their shrieking allerted some Magpies and a whole family came to see what was going on.

It turned into quite a brawl so we just left.  I'm not sure who won but I know the Magpies don't really like peanuts in the shell, I think they were just bored and looking for trouble.

The whole point of this story is that the Stellar Jay is bilingual and whenever I feed it peanuts, it speaks in Crow language and says."Caw, caw"  Those Corvids are way smarter than we think.

https://www.zazzle.com/two_watercolor_stellar_jay_birds_forest_trees_acrylic_print-256010034106014843

Raccoons Again

The town I grew up in did not have raccoons. I always wished they had however if I'd know them I probably wouldn't have. You'd be hard pressed to find an animal more difficult to control. 

 In the 34 years I've lived in this province I have met more raccoons than I can remember. They always seem to find me. We have families that come and go over the years but this year we are down to one young one and is he smart. 

 The first time I met him I watering along the fence line. He came trudging by about a foot and half from me, head down like he was tired after a long day's work. He spotted me, looked over and just kept walking along. 

 I was surprized he was so unafraid of me. A couple days later early afternoon I went out to put something in my garbage can and there he was. Not bothered by me at all. I yelled for him to go, waved my arms to shoo him out of my yard. He looked at me like I was crazy and sauntered away. 

 They're not usually that unafraid and not usually out in the daytime but someone forgot to tell this guy.

 A couple days later my son was in his room. His patio door was open as it was quite hot out and his cat had just been in and out eating. My son heard a noise thinking the cat was back in but when he turned around there was the raccoon. He was quick enough to think of his phone and got this video.  That's the cat's Temptations treats.  He's doing thing in a room with two people watching him.

 

Golden Retriever Dogs

I was completely unprepared for my first Golden Retriever Dog. I was looking for a dog, was unsure of what breed I really wanted and just kept my mind open to whatever came along. I picked up the newspaper one day and there was an ad for a Golden Retriever Dog. 

 I contacted the owner and he said,"If you want her she's yours just come and pick her up." When I got there he told me that although his place was in the country his yard was not fenced and the dog just wouldn't stay home. 

 She was probably a year old, full of energy and joy. We lived in a cabin at a lake and so she would have a large yard, also unfenced. Brina short for Sabrina was a joyful, wonderful dog. She was sweet, kind and always happy just like the expression on her face. Even her challenges were taken on joyfully.

 However the neighbours soon discovered that whenever she went out and we assumed she was in our yard playing with out other dog, she wasn't. All summer long she stole their bathing suits that were drying on their deck rail and then in winter she stole their skis. Anything left in their yard was fair game as far as she was concerned but she was, after all, a retriever so it was impossible to get angry at her.

 She is the inspiration behind the watercolor painting of a Golden Retriever.

Golden Retriever Dog Pet Gifts & Gear
by Country Mouse Studio

Pinterest

Watercolor Wren Bird in Vineyard

I saw my first Wren last summer and was immediately mesmerized by its song.  It was living in a birdhouse placed in the park and it flew from the house to the shrubs and sang. 

 All About Birds by Cornell University is my go to for all things bird and they call it a pinnacle of song complexity,a rapid series of tumbling and trilling notes. This little wren was very joyful that morning and I could have stayed for hours listening as it flew from shrub to shrub. 

 One particularly adorable fact is that the male Pacific Wren builds multiple nests then leads his lady love to each so she can choose the one she wants. 

 The area where I live has many vineyards and apparently they love the shade and available water in these places that's why this little watercolor painting shows this one in a vineyard. Hopefully this link works so you can hear their beautiful song.

Pacific wren song
 

Wren Bird Vineyard Wine Tasting Birthday
by countrymousestudio

Watercolor Wren Bird Vineyard Grapes Leaves Winery
by countrymousestudio

Blank Custom Age Birthday Wren Bird in Vineyard
by countrymousestudio

Watercolor Wren Bird Vineyard Grapes Leaves Winery
by countrymousestudio

Custom Bird Watching Journal for Birders Wren Bird
by countrymousestudio

California Quail – The Social Explorer

California Quails are known for their sociability and distinctive appearance.

Original Watercolor California Quail Bird
by countrymousestudio

If you're outgoing, enjoy group activities, and have a flair for the unique, the quail represents your adventurous and stylish side.

California Quail Birds This book belongs Bookplate
by countrymousestudio

California Quail Birds Watercolor Art Classic Round Sticker
by countrymousestudio

Californial Quail are cheerful little birds that you quickly grow to love. They travel in flocks and are constantly slowing traffic down as they cross the highways. Like squirrels they will be 3/4 of the way across the road but upon seeing a car approaching they will turn around and go back the way they came instead of finishing that last 1/4 crossing.

Custom Date or Text Watercolor California Quail Ceramic Ornament
by countrymousestudio

Beautiful markings and colors with a cute little plume of feathers make them outstanding and their fun call which always reminds me of Daffy Duck's woo hoo. Because they come from California I can imaging the creator of Daffy Duck sitting in his studio working on an idea when he hears that signature, "woo hoo," and gives Daffy Duck a voice.

Original Watercolor California Quail Bird
by countrymousestudio

There are interesting facts about them such as: They can live without water by getting what they need from the food they eat. That works perfectly since they like to live in dry environments. They do group childcare and I've seen one mom with 25 babies or more many times. The babies seem to come whenever but are the cutest, tiniest little fluff balls. They are definitely one of my favorite birds,

Traditional Christmas California Quail Bird Holiday Card
by countrymousestudio

Custom Name Birthday California Quail Bird Holiday Card
by countrymousestudio

“Are You an Bald Eagle Personality? Strong, Bold & Visionary”

Here's another post about which bird matches your personality.

Fun "Tough old Bird" Humor Bald Eagle Bird
by countrymousestudio

Fun "Bald is Beautiful", Bald Eagle Bird
by countrymousestudio

  

Bald Eagle Strong, independent, and focused—

Bald Eagle Bird, This book belongs Bookplate
by countrymousestudio

if you have a vision and won’t let anything distract you from it, the bald eagle could be your spirit bird.

 

Bald Eagle Mug to Customize
by countrymousestudio

Eagles soar higher than most, symbolizing ambition and leadership, but they also know when to pause, perch, and take in the view. 

Fun "Tough old Bird" Humor Bald Eagle Bird
by countrymousestudio

Bald is Beautiful Humor Bald Eagle Bird Coffee Mug
by countrymousestudio

A bald eagle personality commands respect and inspires others to rise to their best selves.

Happy Birthday - Bald is Beautiful!
by countrymousestudio

Watercolor Bald Eagle Bald is Beautiful Quote Keychain
by countrymousestudio

Custom Dated Bald Eagle Owl Bird Merry Christmas Ceramic Ornament
by countrymousestudio

Bald Eagle Owl Bald is Beautiful Christmas Ceramic Ornament
by countrymousestudio