Finding Beauty in the Flawed

Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.

Shunryu Suzuki

The Woodchuck

If I had weeded the garden,

he wouldn’t have come

standing on his hind legs-

savoring dandelions

and wheat grass,

resting on an old stump

and then waddling, content,

back into the woods.

The Crow

I welcome the glossy black bird

when he comes into my yard

frequenting my feeder,

nearly too big for the pole

quivering under the weight

of his heavy body.

I do not judge

the bloodiness of his beak -

it is crow nature to eat meaty things.

I welcome him here,

in my half wild garden-

where he is not expected

to want to be.

I welcome him here -

wondering.

The Deer

Their coats, like moth-eaten clothes

imperfectly stored for the winter

are changing for summer,

shedding extra layers -

lightening

to a beautiful reddish brown.

but their eyes are still as deep

as winter.

Beauty is the moment of transition, as if the form were just ready to flow into other forms.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

What a magical week. The woods are bursting with wild things. I was actually trying to get a picture of the crow who has become a regular at the feeder when I saw the woodchuck (aka groundhog) outside my window. The crow flew off, but the groundhog was having a feast and I don’t think he even saw me.

It wasn’t until the next day that I was able to get pictures of the crow. I have to confess that I cleaned him up in the three pictures I shared. (If you want to see what he looked like before I cleaned him up, let me know!) I was afraid that there was just a little too much grossness on his beak. I feel pretty honored that he keeps coming back. I guess crows don’t normally use backyard feeders. He’s become a member of my wild family.

The deer have been a little less present in the yard lately, but I see them everywhere on my walks. I sometimes wonder if they’re wary while their coats are changing. If you know, I’d be interested.

Thank you so much for being here! I hope you have a wonderful first week of June. See you next Friday.

Ode to a Blue Jay

Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

Henry Van Dyke

To be a Blue Jay

In a blur of white, black and blue

You flew into my garden -

Landing under the feeder,

Pecking at the ground,

Picking up seeds,

Hopping around

Unbothered by my watching.

I want to live like you-

Able to fly from danger,

To pierce the silence

of the cold morning air

With the longing call

of my wild heart,

Unashamed.

I want to land softly

In the warm grass -

To dance in the sun,

and then just take off

for the trees when it’s gone -

leaving this comfortable cage

behind.

A blue jay and its partner are nesting in one of the trees behind my house and are regularly visiting the feeders in the yard there. I chose the opening quote not just because I think people should be able to share their talents, but also because the blue jay’s call is annoying to some people. Loud and piercing. Personally, I love the sound - especially on an otherwise bleak and quiet day.

Here is a link to check out if you want to hear the sounds (and learn more about the birds) : Audubon Society: About the Blue Jay (with sounds) - The calls I most often hear are the Jay (or Jeering) and the hawk imitation calls; but I recognized most of the other sounds; not realizing they were Jay sounds too.

This bird is very calm and curious. I read that when they are afraid; the feathers on top of their heads stand straight up - so he was unafraid, hopping around and tilting his head from side to side.

I also read that they are not really blue, but that the color is a trick of light … here’s a link to that explanation, if you’re interested: NOT in Blue.