What Does the Jay Say?

No dogs in our yard this year, only deer passing through and more birds than we can count. Nuthatches, chick-a-dees, downy woodpeckers, even a Magpie on the feeder this morning.

click-click-cheep-cheep-caw-caw-caw-caw-caw…

And jays, Stellar jays.  Until you pay attention, their sounds blend into the backdrop of the mountain landscape.  At first, you hear their melodies: cheep-ch-cheep-cheep.  Then their complaints and cries for more seed:  caw-caw-ca-caw.  Now that I know their sounds from the rest, I hear something new.

click-click-cheep-cheep-caw-caw-caw-caw-caw…

Stepping outside, at least a dozen blue streaks retreat to the coniferous caverns above. From their balcony perches, comes a sound straight out of Predator: a click-crick-click-cl-click.  A sound that triggers a most primal response:  hairs rise, muscles tighten, and adrenaline seeps into my veins. My head sinks into my shoulders, eyes darting from branch to branch.

I fight the urge to take cover and instead make sure their feeders are full.  It is–after all–only a jay.

What does the Jay say?

click-click-cheep-cheep-caw-caw-caw-caw-caw…

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I’m participating in the 9th annual Slice of Life Challenge hosted by the Two Writing Teachers. Today’s slice is inspired by both the birds out the window and the song stuck in my nine-year-old’s head.  If you have trouble channeling the tune:

What does the Jay say?  click-click-cheep-cheep-caw-caw-caw-caw-caw…

ask a child to help you.  Mine even gave me feedback to make sure the rhythm was right! 🙂 So fun!