11/16/2023
This is a giant Spruce tree in my front yard. There are 2. I've lived in this house for 7 yrs. Over that time I've watched her lean more and more.
Today I had her looked at and they said because the lean is so severe and mainly the bottom of the trunk, it's best to take her down. ๐ญ
There is a Mama Blue Jay that nests in this beautiful tree every year. Every year like clock work, I hear her yelling as she defends her nest from crows. Every year when I hear her cry I go outside to see what's happening.
So for the last 7 yrs, I've been helping her defend her nest. She yells and flaps and handles the air attack, I'm out there with my straw broom waving and scolding the crows. I'm sure it must be quite a sight! ๐ But together, we win every year.
I've earned her trust and she often gets close to me and sings. Quite a few times a week when I'm sitting on the couch, she will come and sit on the eaves trough and look at me through the window. Tilting her little head back and forth until I notice her. Then she gives a little song and I blow her kisses and she goes back to her tree. ๐
Last year, one particular Crow was very persistent, and kept charging her and the nest. Of course it's way too high for me to reach. But I came out with my straw broom anyway, and I swung it and I told the crew to git! This went on for about 15 minutes before the crow took a break on top of the light pole in front of my neighbor's house.
Mama blue jay flew to the branch just above my head, she kept looking down at me and back at the crow. I told her it was okay, that I would stay until he left. I watched her take a big deep breath, her body getting plump. Then she jumped off the branch and flew slowly.
I've never seen a bird fly like this before. Almost like tiptoeing through her wings. And she came from the bottom of the pole and flew up and booped the crow off the top of the light! ๐คฃ
Of course she took the crow by surprise and at first he fell off the light with a squawk! ๐๐๐ He regained his balance and flew away squawking the entire time. But, he did not come back. Mama Jay and I had won. I was so proud of her!
And when I think about taking down this big beautiful tree that she has called home, probably longer than I've been here, I get so sad. ๐
Silver linings though..
1. They said they would relocate the nest to the tree beside, so hopefully that will be okay for her.
2. They are going to cut me some pieces from this big beautiful tree so that I can create something with it. I'm so grateful for that.
3. The gentleman I was talking to was so compassionate about the wild life that calls this tree home and had such respect for my sappy feelings about cutting down this big beautiful tree.
I get one last winter with her and part of next spring.
When I was talking with the guy we both agreed these big spruces do not belong in front yards of houses. They belong in the forest. So mental note, when I buy a house I will not be planting spruces in the front yard!
But I will be looking for something that flowers to put in her spot to honor where she was. ๐๐ผ๐ธ
Isn't she beautiful! ๐ฅฐ
I See You ๐
~ Trelawnie L Gartner Xx