Little Visitor

This morning, it was just starting to drizzle. So, I stepped outside to gather some lettuce from our garden for our dinner later. As I stepped off our deck, this little guy startled me. He's just a little baby, and he couldn't yet fly. But, I frightened him, far more than he startled me. The poor thing jumped off our deck and flapped his wings as best he could. He landed rather abruptly in the closest garden bed. He screamed as he jumped. I've never heard a bird scream before. It wasn't pleasant! He was close enough that I could feel the wind from his wing flapping on the side of my face. I nearly jumped out of my skin!

His Mom and Dad were watching closely. I just stood still and let him get away from me. King J shoo'ed our cat out of the back yard. The little bluejay hopped, yes hopped, through the back yard to the brush/compost pile in the back. I didn't dare get too close. Momma bird kept a watchful eye above and behind me. Daddy bird kept a watchful eye from directly above him. I knew if I got too close, they would attack.

I ran inside and got my camera and popped on the telephoto lens. Then, I zoomed in as far as it would go.

After I got a good photo, we went back in the house. We realized his nest was just above our deck and he must have just recently left the nest. He was really rather small, for a bluejay. Isn't he beautiful? What a treat to see this fellow today.