A field note.
Good Morning
It’s a nice start to the day when I can linger with my tea on the porch. I like to watch the animals as they track through my yard on their regular daily treks. It’s not uncommon to see a pack of turkeys strutting through, or mama deer and her two young ones. Today, the birds were performing a drama that was becoming familiar, as I’ve been watching them this summer.
Blue First
The big bold blue jay arrived first. The jay confidently claimed his usual spot atop the shepherd’s hook. He perches there often. On top of a hill, the double hook gives the bird a high vantage to survey the yard, always aware, always a little theatrical. The hook, a stage he seems to know as his, sways slightly with beneath the bird
Then Red
Moments later, on another second hook, about 40 feet away, the bright male cardinal appeared — his unmistakable color reminds me that he is the “pop of red” in this lovely scene. He sang-out, not shyly, but fully and clearly, a song I’ve come to recognize as his. It echoed across the yard. His declaration and call.
The Switch
In a blink, the Blue Jay darted across the 40 feet and displaced the cardinal. With a flex of his winged bravado, Jay had now claimed both perches as his own. The cardinal gave up and flew without resistance moving to a third perch in the yard. This dance between perches is familiar now, as I’ve listened and watched the blue and red birds perform on other peaceful mornings like this one.
Cue Orange
Just as the cardinal settled atop the bird house, as if on cue, the robin with his orange breast arrived. Not a show-stealer, the robin has a more gentle presence. He came out of the woods onto the stage and calmly took the first perch upon the shepherd's hook–the one which Jay had abandoned to chase the cardinal.
Gratitude
Just below the robin, a single hummingbird sipped from the feeder hanging from the hook. When a second and third hummer appeared on the scene, the show played out: the tiny hummingbirds harassed each other, never willing to share the sweet nectar from their feeders.
I’m grateful to be around to witness the sights and sounds of the wildlife in the yard at the atelier. It is another good morning. 🙏🏻
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