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Blue Jays and life

photo Kevin Baldelli

Bare with me while I recount to you another adventure with the delightful, brats of the woodlands the colourful Blue Jays. I was late getting to Dewberry Trail this morning, it was quiet and most of the feeders had been emptied. I got out to refill them, and saw a family patiently waiting for birds to appear. The Mother was telling the children, they should walk further along, perhaps they would see birds if they continued. As I neared with my container of black sunflower seeds and was taking off the lid, there was a sudden appearance all around of the little birds.

No sooner had the feeders been filled with round one, of the offerings, there came the distant calls now so familiar to me..of the Blue Jay. When the peanuts were dispersed, they were dive bombing, bold as brass, no waiting their turn. Today there was no shy, coy behaviour, it was a no holds barred attack on the seeds and nuts. Again I counted 5 of them, they were not being nice to their fellow jays either, going as far as cutting off their buddy if he was closest to the seed/nuts.

Their behaviour was ignored by the other birds, who simply moved away to other feeders, the woodpeckers were non pulsed, they silently went off to a tree with tasty bark and began tap tap tapping there.

Leaving this trail, I drove over to Mer Blu (less than two miles) to check what was happening there.. to my surprise as I was distributing the seeds and nuts there, I heard the now familiar cawing almost over my head. The little beggars were all lined up in the higher branches waiting for their chance to swoop down on the buffet that was being set out.. am I so predictable? I found it cold today, so I didn’t linger, tomorrow it is supposed to be sunny, I might attempt to use my camera. Meanwhile I’m so grateful to Kevin for allowing me access to his photos.

While perusing his Instagram account this morning (, which if you are on Instagram, might want to look him up..) I found this adorable face..

Begin each day with a renewed sense of appreciation. Always remember that you are here today thanks to God, and thanks to the many people around you. Let’s make each day meaningful by starting out with a feeling of gratitude.

Perfect Liberty 2014.6

Being with the birds and the woodland creatures always gives me a sense of “renewal” There is something very special watching them go about their daily routines. How they adjust when a bolder and more aggressive bird comes into the feeding area. There is room for everyone, no need to be first in line… their acceptance of a stranger in their midst is humbling.. Since I have been making these trips and spending time .. reconnecting to /with “nature” .. I myself feel life to be less chaotic … I marvel at the patience of the photographers who come early to stand and wait. To the other visitors who bring seeds and share with the birds. I am impressed with the number of young parents I have met who are starting their children at a very early age, to appreciate the woodlands. Life is good.

The simplicity of sharing the land/space with others in a positive way is healing.. it balances the world of the internet/ technology where often the focus is on negative, aggression, and competitive behaviour.

Always live “for the sake of others and society”. Be thankful to society for all that you have, and make a firm decision to be a person who can contribute to people and society. This state of mind will provide you with endless enthusiasm.

Perfect Liberty 2016.7

Oyashikiri

miss popularity

today I was very popular at the feeders

The smart little beggars realized I didn’t have my camera. I had a cancelation this morning, so decided to take the opportunity handed me to drive out and top up the feeders. It was quiet there were only a few cars in the lot, no photographers around, it was blissful. I took my pruners to cut back the dead branches that were in the way, then brought out the black sunflower seeds.. there were actually few birds around, its amazing as soon as the black seeds landed in the feeders, I was swarmed. Where they all came from.. I have no idea. But suddenly I was surrounded, even by the gross beaks who boldly sat and dined with a very relaxed air.

Ah ha.. the sound I was waiting for, the Blue Jays.. yes.. there they were, 5 of them.. swooping down, gathering seeds taking time to dance and flap for me. By then I had the gotten the peanuts and was distributing them in the flat feeders. They were happy, I’d say even chatty. Taking their time to look over at me as they casually pecked up the seeds and peanuts. If I didn’t know better, I’d think they could see that my camera was missing from around my neck.

They actually seemed to be in top form, flaunting their beauty and gracefully flying from branch to branch, within very close range to me. When I’m there with my camera they fly up to the highest of branches, but not today.. no.. uh uh.. a few times. I could have sworn they would land within arms reach from me, and then pop off with a happy little caw. almost like a “gotcha!”

All this to say, I saw many Blue Jays today, and was entertained by them. It was fun, but I have not one picture to show you. nadda. Even the Gross Beaks as I say, were friendly, but now that I think of it, I didn’t see the bigger woodpeckers…. hmmmmm.

Start by thinking “this is interesting! ” Even when you are dealing with a difficult situation, it is important to find something interesting about it.. From there, you will be blessed with wisdom and something new will come out of it.

Perfect Liberty 2019.5

Oyashikiri

an early avatar dating back to maybe 2013 SL Second life

love and appreciation

photographer Ian Mitchell

When I first saw this picture, I felt a calm, a quiet.. this is a lazy day in the Ottawa area…. today in the woods there was snow and it was cool, ok cold. Smiles. That is why I enjoy looking back at the memories collected either by myself or others. A moment captured can give so much to the viewer, every picture tells a story.

photo -Q

Feel the contrast of emotion, the moment shifts, it changes when you visit the trees covered with snow. Life is full of such moments, one minute we are sailing on high energy, and the next, we can be coasting over rocky ground. either way, we are alive to the changes. In each of these pictures there is a whole world of “wild life” that we are not seeing. I was in smack dab in the middle of the trees in the above picture, what you don’t hear is the chatter of the birds all around me. I had just put out seeds and peanuts, the Blue Jays were cawing and calling, the smaller birds were chirping, woodpeckers were pecking… it was busy.

Life is wonderful isn’t it. We are so blessed that in this world we live in, we are surrounded with light and love. I know sometimes it doesn’t feel so, especially if you are constantly being bombarded with news media. Put it aside, allow the natural wonders of the Universe to be present in your life. Allow all your sense to explore and delight in the discoveries that you will find, when you take the time to “stop” and be “present”.

In PL we practice being present, we want to radiate love of life, and show our appreciation for all that is part of the world we live in. Live each moment, it will never reoccur.

Listen carefully and speak clearly. A good relationship starts from truly understanding each other.

Perfect Liberty 2021.5

I really love the contrast of these two pictures. Each one, tells me a completely different story, and has a different feeling to it. (yin/yang)

Have a great day today, remember to smile… reach out and show appreciation =^_^=

Oyashikiri

Your smile

photographer Chris O’Keefe (USA)

Energy Springs from your Smile. A smile makes you and others cheerful and energetic.

Perfect Liberty 2021.4

I spent a good part of yesterday looking for something. I really looked everywhere, walked around outside to see if it had fallen from my pocket. Checked my coat pockets many times, emptied my purse, I was determined. No dog muzzle. So after another search this morning, I gave in and ordered another one for curb side pick up. I wanted to take something out to the car, so had to grab my purse which I had emptied twice, to find my keys.. …. … guess what was hanging from the purse strap. Like Duh! SMILE everyone.. today we SMILE, and SMILE some more. =^_^=

As Pooh would say.. “have some honey” =^_^=

Oyashikiri

Elusive Blue Jays

Today I tried very hard to patiently wait for the little beggars to light long enough in one place so I could snap a picture. They teased me without mercy .. at both trails that I went to. Thankfully yesterday I received these two fabulous pictures from Kevin. Isn’t the Blue Jay a stunning looking bird.

They must have a sense for what is happening on the ground. My first stop, I was putting out seeds, and rearranging the Suet feeders.. I could see them flying by, and for sure I heard them calling out to each other. It wasn’t until I went back to the car and came back with the peanuts and the black sunflower seeds that the cawing got louder and more insistent.

As soon as I headed back to the car to deposit the containers, they swooped in, landed, collected their treasures and off they went. I wasn’t too concerned I thought I’ll just go back and wait for them to come back. I waited, but they didn’t come back.. not until I gave up and headed back to the car that is.. then I saw the flash of white overhead.. and heard the ohhs and ahhs from the Xcountry skiers who were heading out on the trail.

Good relationships begin by greeting each other. Acts of respect and courtesy are reflections of how much we value others. Make it a point to be the first to greet your family, people at work and around the neighbourhood.

Perfect Liberty 2014.4

Energy springs from your smile. A smile makes you and others cheerful and energetic

Perfect Liberty 2021.4

Here is wishing you a good start to a new week.

Oyashikiri

Kevin Baldelli is a wildlife photographer Ottawa, Canada

choices

In life we are often faced with having to make a decision, take the turn to the left, follow the road straight ahead or turn right. When faced with such a decision, do you ponder what road to take, or let your instincts guide you? In the wooded area that I was in this morning, when I saw people heading out on their adventure, I noticed that many of them seemed to know just where they wanted to go, what direction to head out on.

Myself, I didn’t venture past where I was tending the feeders. I was intent on waiting for and watching for the blue jays. During my time there, I noticed that when there was little to no activity in the parking lot, the birds would somehow know that there would be no “traffic” and they would dive down, swooping in from the tall tree tops. To experience this I had to practice, standing still. Each time I go, and the more times I practice being still, the easier it is getting for me.

Right now, in many of the churches we can only visit by appointment to ensure social distancing can be maintained. Standing still in the middle of a woodland “space”… is much like the quiet stillness that can envelope you when you are in church. Something magical happens. our sense are fine tuned.

Improve yourself to have a kinder heart. Do what you can to be caring and considerate to make others happy.

Perfect Liberty 2021

Oyashikiri

It’s here!

big fluffy white snow

Finally the snow lovers who were waiting to put on their snowshoes, and X-country skis can snap them on and glide out over the trails. The parking lot was full .. families with children all decked out for their adventure were preparing to hit the trail. I got there a little later, so the feeders were in need of topping up, and I had diners ready to partake as soon as the goodies got deposited. I was thrilled to see several blue jays making ready to swoop down to feast. Guess who had a battery failure… yup.. red light went on.. camera closed up. Kamuwaza! Skies were bright and blue too.

Smile and the world smiles with you.

Be a person who can say “I like it”. Find what moves you the most and express your appreciation.

Perfect Liberty 2021.2

Always think that “everything will work out”. when you allow yourself to be pessimistic, your thoughts and actions become sluggish. Approach everything optimistically without hesitating.

Perfect Liberty 2020.2

Oyashikiri

1st of 2021 – PL day of Peace

photo take by Num

Each Person’s peace leads to world peace. First of all you have to be happy. That happiness will spread and be the foundation of World Peace.

Perfect Liberty 2021.1

Oyashikiri

More of Num’s photos can be seen on Instagram (numottawa)

NCC trail #22

Everywhere, under, in and around the trees, branches, rocks, there was a variety of birds.. and squirrels, there had to have been a “zillion” of them, grays, beige, rusty, tiny, wee ones, medium size, they were so busy gathering seeds and then running to hide them, they ran across your path, behind you, and unless you actually advanced towards them, you were ignored. People sat on fallen logs, benches like the one above, big boulder rocks strategically placed… human visitors have made small wooden shelters almost like teepees under the protection of big evergreens around the trunks of deciduous trees.

The forest floor looks quiet, but just before I stopped to capture the moment, there had been at least 5 squirrels playing hide and seek in this section of the woodlands. next This bird was being camera shy, I did get another picture of her, but this is the one I thought was sooo cute.

She positioned herself behind the branch, but I could still see her looking at me, watching to see what I would do, what direction I would go.

Today I visited the NCC Sarsaparilla Trail https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEA_enCA880CA880&sxsrf=ALeKk00YgyhdKFyantIpFJr4phjcfbZiSw:1609457695037&q=Sarsaparilla+Trail&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgecR4hJFb4OWPe8JSuxgnrTl5jXEzIxdXcEZ-uWteSWZJpVAAFxuUpcIlKMWrn65vaJhkZpyck11ersEgxc-FKiSloMTFW76HQVr04JMzl7SEONcn_2zL-nfWR9DnybPuHWwCOUrBRu67Lk07x-YoyAAEn6oCHaQ0tYS42D2LffKTE3MENxjXfl3oX26vJczFEZJYkZ-Xn1spyPDzf_23_-_tlTg5Qbpeley212Jo2rfiEBsLB6MAA88iVqHgxKLixILEosycnESFkKLEzBwAbXu9JN8AAAA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjC6cWRsfntAhWlnOAKHTNiDKoQ6RMwGXoECBUQAg&biw=1280&bih=711

Harmony brings us Peace. Let’s strive to always maintain good relationships at home, at work, and in the community we live in.

Perfect Liberty 2020.1

Oyashikiri

31st end of 2020

Time transports us – the shutter clicks, and captures “FOREVER” moments. The sights and sounds of 2020 will always be special. We learned, we experienced, laughed and cried. Like the incoming tide, it will wash over us, and then drift slowly back out never to return exactly as it was… Starting soon will be a brand new year, with all the joys and opportunities that will come in with the new day, new dawn.

Whatever the Universe brings to our doorstep, we will deal with it. We’ve grown stronger, we’ve survived the challenges of the past year. Best of all, we will do it together.

PL Precept #14 World Peace is everything.

Ring out the old, bring in the new… In all certainty, it will expand our horizons, for we come a long way, we have learned, that together, we can change the world.

PL Precept #10 Love yourself and others.

PL Precept #15 All is a mirror.

PL Precept #11 Always be with God.

Oyashikiri

Now is always the start of something new. Leave the past in the past. What is important is “what you are doing to do now.” Using the present as a starting point, move foreword on a path towards improvement and progress,

Perfect Liberty 2014.24.

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