Bird brain, who me?

Bird brain, may generally be considered an insult, but I am here to tell you that I am learning from the birds.

You may recall that after Christmas I started putting out peanuts for the birds; I expected jays but got crows, very faithful crows. I feed them a few whole peanuts and then when they are gone I put a few more out. I sometimes stand by with the camera but the crows usually outsmart me and grab the nuts when I am not looking. But not always ...............

Then one day I was a little late putting out the second serving of peanuts and there was suddenly a loud chorus of cawing; I was so surprised I got up immediately (I was at the computer) and fed the crows. OK, so they are smarter than me, but I seemed to learn fast so they give me reminders regularly now, LOL.

But a couple of weeks ago I was surprised and pleased to see that a Steller's Jay was also lining up for peanuts.

Then two, then six...... They often take the time to pick up each of the nuts offered, shake each of them and then go back to the "best" nut (heaviest?) and disappear with it.

The Steller's Jays are not shy. They don't even wait until I get back inside before they arrive to get the peanuts.

Now the crows are not amused by this. They found them first and now the Steller's Jays often take all the nuts while the standoffish crows watch. He doesn't look amused does he.

So more reminders about nuts from the crows. I went out and found a much bigger bag of peanuts too; had too.

Then the other day I was working in my studio, when a Steller's Jay came to look in at me and remind me more nuts were needed. Again I was so surprised that I got up right away and put out some more nuts.

So there is another thing I learned from the birds, I am a slow learner, but they are persistent.

They are such beautiful birds, I can't resist, and I still feed the crows too.

But they don't look happy at the prospect of sharing, do they?

At my house "bird brain" is definitely not an insult. I aspire to be as smart as my birdie friends.

Last week I promised more of the teddies and tigers series, and here they are:

First,"Are We There Yet?":

 And lastly, "Storytyme Magic":

The four pictures in this series are now on display at "Image West" hair salon. For more details follow this link: GillianOlsonArt

Thank you for dropping by, happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next week .....................

It's open

The park at Jericho Beach has been behind construction fences for many months, but it finally opened just a few days ago. The bunny above seems to be inspecting the new area.

For months this has been the view:

The park was closed while the old pier was removed then opened temporarily only to be closed again after a storm washed out the new beach.

Here are some views of the newly opened area of the park:

The established trees have been surrounded by native plantings and the beach has been restored.

These "perches" have been installed for the birds to view the park and the beach.

I saw an eagle in one of the trees too but I did not have my camera with me.

The wood sculpture looks good in its new surroundings. This is a sculpture dating from the Habitat Forum on this site in 1976:

Some of the blackberry bushes, which the rabbits retreat to for safety, have been removed but the rabbits still seem to be thriving.

and on the beach life goes on.

At the pond a short walk away, the redwing blackbirds are back and staking out their territories.

The ducks seem to be enjoying the milder weather and a bit of sunshine.

It was bath time as I walked past

even the crows were getting in on the act.

  Signs of fall and winter still dominate

But the geese and ducks are pairing up 

 and there are buds on many trees

the snowdrops are up too and crocuses not far behind

and with the viburnum flowers adding their delicate scent  

can spring be far away?

I am finally finishing a project that was started a long time ago too. I have finally framed a series of paintings featuring teddies (stuffed animals) and tigers (also stuffed).

Here are the first two in the series, first "Something in the Air":

A watercolour of teddies and tiger, imagine that the small stuffed toy in the centre has just farted and the other stuffed animals are reacting.

The second is "The Games' Afoot":

Here Sherlock Holmes and Watson (in the waistcoat at the back) are investigating ...............

All these paintings are watercolours,

the other two in this series next week ............

Thank you for dropping by, happy whimsy Wednesday, until next week ....................................