October 9

The blue jays have been more active these past several days, and soon apart from our cardinal pairs that remain throughout the winter, the jays will be the principal splash of color among our dooryard bird visitors.

Blackbirds are also moving about now; they frequent the fields across the road during the day and call out to one another. I am reminded of the old motto:

By the first of March, the crows begin to search

By the first of April, they are sitting still

By the first of May they are flown away

Creeping greedy back again with October wind and rain.