The Last Leaf Gardener: “A new day. A blue jay. A new beginning...."

Monday, January 18, 2021

“A new day. A blue jay. A new beginning...."

This is a picture of a blue jay perching on the rim of a flora container in my garden. The bird’s beak is open ever so lightly and he appears to be looking into the container. “Blue jays are large for songbirds, typically measuring between 9 and 12 inches long, and weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 ounces. Distinguishing characteristics of the blue jay include the pronounced blue crest on their heads, which the blue jay may lower and raise depending on mood, and which will bristle outward when the bird is being aggressive or becomes frightened. Blue jays sport colorful blue plumage on their crest, wings, back, and tail. Their face is typically white, and they have an off-white underbelly. They have a black-collared neck, and the black extends down the sides of their heads - their bill, legs, and eyes are also all black. Their wings and tail have black, sky-blue, and white bars. Male and female blue jays are nearly identical.” (Info from https://forum.americanexpedition.us/blue-jay-facts). They are featured in my three volume book series, “Words In Our Beak. Info re these birds is in another post on this blog @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

Blue jays visit my garden frequently and the other day was no exception. My latest visitor can be seen in the image atop this entry as well as in the ones directly below.

This is a picture of a blue jay perching on the rim of a flora container in my garden which is wrapped in burlap. He appears to be looking on to the garden floor. “Blue jays are large for songbirds, typically measuring between 9 and 12 inches long, and weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 ounces. Distinguishing characteristics of the blue jay include the pronounced blue crest on their heads, which the blue jay may lower and raise depending on mood, and which will bristle outward when the bird is being aggressive or becomes frightened. Blue jays sport colorful blue plumage on their crest, wings, back, and tail. Their face is typically white, and they have an off-white underbelly. They have a black-collared neck, and the black extends down the sides of their heads - their bill, legs, and eyes are also all black. Their wings and tail have black, sky-blue, and white bars. Male and female blue jays are nearly identical.” (Info from https://forum.americanexpedition.us/blue-jay-facts). They are featured in my three volume book series, “Words In Our Beak. Info re these birds is in another post on this blog @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

This is a picture of a blue jay perching on the rim of a metal saucer that is in my garden. He appears to be looking at what is there which bits of fruit. “Blue jays are large for songbirds, typically measuring between 9 and 12 inches long, and weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 ounces. Distinguishing characteristics of the blue jay include the pronounced blue crest on their heads, which the blue jay may lower and raise depending on mood, and which will bristle outward when the bird is being aggressive or becomes frightened. Blue jays sport colorful blue plumage on their crest, wings, back, and tail. Their face is typically white, and they have an off-white underbelly. They have a black-collared neck, and the black extends down the sides of their heads - their bill, legs, and eyes are also all black. Their wings and tail have black, sky-blue, and white bars. Male and female blue jays are nearly identical.” (Info from https://forum.americanexpedition.us/blue-jay-facts). They are featured in my three volume book series, “Words In Our Beak. Info re these birds is in another post on this blog @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

Upon my seeing this creature, I thought of some lines from a poem by Eleanor Farjeon which go like this, “A new day. A blue jay. A new beginning...."

You may recognize her name as she wrote the hymn, "Morning Has Broken," which is usually associated with Cat Stevens whose recording of it popularized the song.

This bird type, which sometimes gets a bad rap, has influenced me from an early age when I drew (albeit not very well) the creature's picture. A copy of my work can be seen here in the next image.

A child's drawing done with crayons using the colors of yellow, blue, red , green and black to create flowers, two people, a church and a blue jay.

Blue jays are featured in the last volume of my three volume book series, Words In Our Beak, and since birding has grown more popular during the coronavirus, these books are great to have on hand for those who can't go out and about.

This is a photo of my three volume book series, "Words In Our Beak." Information re the books is another one of my blog posts @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

On another note which is one related to the symbolism and meaning of certain birds, "Jays mate for life, giving them the symbolism and meaning of faithfulness and accord."

Because of this undisputed fact re their faithfulness, I have had a couple of my images of Blue Jays rendered on to cards (by Fine Art America AKA FAA).

They can be seen in the images below and either one makes a perfect Valentine's Day card for the one near and dear to you.

This is a screen shot of a card which I'm selling on Fine Art America. It features a couple of blue jays at a wreath shaped bird feeder filled with peanuts in the shell. Info re this card is @ https://fineartamerica.com/featured/blue-jays-wooing-1-patricia-youngquist.html?product=greeting-card

CHECK THIS OUT ON FINE ART AMERICA

This is a screen shot of a card which I'm selling on Fine Art America. It features two very amorous Blue jays. Info re this card is @ https://fineartamerica.com/featured/blue-jays-wooing-2-patricia-youngquist.html?product=greeting-card

CHECK THIS OUT ON FINE ART AMERICA

By the way, FAA can also render the images on to an array of surfaces; including acrylic...

This is a screen shot of one of my images of Blue Jays which has been rendered on to acrylic and is available in different sizes via Fine Art America. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/blue-jays-wooing-1-patricia-youngquist.html?product=acrylic-print

CHECK THIS OUT ON FINE ART AMERICA

...canvas...

CHECK THIS OUT ON FINE ART AMERICA

...metal...

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...special art paper...

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...as well as wood...

This is a screen shot of one of my images of Blue Jays which has been rendered on to wood and is available in different sizes via Fine Art America. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/blue-jays-wooing-1-patricia-youngquist.html?product=wood-print

CHECK THIS OUT ON FINE ART AMERICA

... for varying sizes of wall art.

Moreover they also offer framed images of my collection.

This is a screen shot of one of my framed images of Blue Jays which is available in different sizes via Fine Art America. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/blue-jays-wooing-1-patricia-youngquist.html?product=framed-print

CHECK THIS OUT ON FINE ART AMERICA

Additionally, an array of photographs of this bird type along with informative narratives are featured within my book series, Words In Our Beak...

This image features the front cover of my three volume book series, “WORDS IN OUR BEAK." Info re these books is in a blog post @ https://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2018/10/one-sheet-book-series-info.html

MY BIRD BOOKS

...these books also make a great gift for Valentine's Day (or any day for that matter).

And since Jays mate for life, "giving them the symbolism and meaning of faithfulness and accord," why not let them inspire you to do something extra nice for your true love? But just a quick reminder, Valentine's Day is less than one month away, so if you would like to get or your true love items mentioned in this post please act quickly to avoid delays caused by shipping.

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Monday, January 18, 2021

“A new day. A blue jay. A new beginning...."

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