


These are all different pictures, but he sat there for ages. He knew I was watching but didn't seem to care. I had noticed a jay a day or so before, waiting while I put out peanuts, and then he perched near here... I wonder if the jay is watching the little birds' nests? Like magpies and crows, they will take eggs or baby birds.
I hope that he comes back and gains further confidence... and doesn't eat eggs.
In fact, he came back the next day...

In the meantime, may I recommend Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles? They're about King Arthur and I loved them. Each one more than the last. The first has been made into a drama. And, you know what? I'm going to start watching it. (I have and MUCH prefer the books.)
That is, if I can drag myself away from the garden. As well as the ever engaging robins, dunnocks, blackbirds, tits and wrens, it seems the rats are back. And the fox and hedgehog.
This morning, as I stood under my lilac at the back, I felt as though my senses were exquisitely sharpened - hearing every single rustle, cheap and wingbeat. There was life everywhere, around my head and feet, in the bushes, hedges and trees, ladybirds galore on the bamboo, wasps fighting in midair. Or maybe bees. I was in the midst of a maelstrom of beings growing, eating, striving, making meaning, feeling emotions, experiencing sunshine... to be part of all this, that is to experience the world's grace.
In the meantime, CC has been experiencing similar vibes on the other side of the Atlantic - and watching the beautiful blue jays of North America:
two jays flying with
sky-blue wings, and breasts
of cloud-colours
A week or so later - and the jays are still visiting... but harder to photograph... this is my design for a Jay kimono...

And here's... another jay snap...

Shame about the face.
Turns out, there are two.


Stupendous photos of the jay and the descriptions of the multitude of life in your garden!
Thanks for including my haiku. Holy Moly! This Bernard dude is very prolific! My library has pages of his books especially in print. Now I'm intrigued 🤓