6 Ounces vs. 15 Pounds

Did you know that an adult blue jay weighs 2.5 to 3.5 ounces! So begins my story of 6 ounces (mama and daddy blue jay) vs. 15 pounds, Sir Oliver, our cat!

On Thursday, June 2nd, we watched the 3 baby blue jays take turns cautiously standing on the edge of their nest. At times, the wind fluffed their wings, surely to be propelled right off the edge! But, it was not THE day to leave home!

First thing Friday morning, I looked out my kitchen window to check on my “babies.” Checking on the babies first thing every morning was my routine since the beginning of nest construction. I could tell . . . THIS was THE day! Two of the baby blue jays were standing tall on the edge of their nest! The mama and daddy blue jay would land briefly and then take off as if saying “follow us . . . it’s easy!" The babies, however, held fast working up courage to take flight.

As I was getting ready to run an errand, I looked out my bedroom window, which faces my shade garden and the fish pond, and saw . . . Sir Oliver . . . our 15-pound cat doing what comes naturally. Baby #1 had landed on the ground next to our fish pond. In the split seconds I watched, the baby was flapping its wings trying to escape from Sir Oliver.

Frantic, I ran down the hall and headed out the patio door to the deck yelling, “Oliver has a baby blue jay!”

I flew down the 14 deck steps to the ground, expecting to find Sir Oliver licking his lips. Instead, I found him hiding under the picnic table, put in his place by mama and daddy blue jay! Baby #1 was in the fish pond, flapping it’s wings trying to stay afloat and get out. Over head, mama and daddy blue jay are squawking and swooping the patio area!

I know to never get between a momma and her baby . . . BUT . . . I had to make a choice! Rescue baby #1 from the pond while running the risk of getting pecked by the parents or do nothing. I decided to take my chances. Walking quickly but calmly to the pond, with one quick, smooth motion, I cupped my hands under baby #1, lifting him out of the water and setting him on the ground. Slowly, I backed away.

Sir Oliver wasn’t about to budge from his hiding place . . . because of fear or hoping for a second chance at the baby??? But I persuaded him out of hiding. He headed around the corner of the house to the front yard, low crawling all the way! He stopped long enough for me to pick him up . . . his heart racing as I put him in the garage, where he had to stay the next 24 hours until the babies were safe.

When I returned home from my errand, Heather told me a baby was on the patio by the corner of the house. It was baby #2. How do I know? It was smaller and was not as blue as baby #1.

Baby #1 had left the yard.

Baby #2 was on the patio.

Baby #3 was standing outside the nest, on a limb!

I stood on the patio, up against the house, watching baby #3 in spite of the scolding parents. Baby #3 was out of the nest and was standing on a branch! This is it! Surely I will see him fly! BUT . . . I looked at baby #2 and when I looked back at baby #3 . . . gone! Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him land next to a hosta in my shade garden, followed by daddy blue jay.

Thinking baby #3 would be there a little while, I looked back to check on baby #2 . . . gone! Flown off, and I missed it! So I looked back at baby #3 . . . gone . . . just flown over the fence!

Houston, the babies have landed! I missed all their maiden voyages!

Empty nests . . . baby blue jays and baby robins all in the same week!

Fiercely protective!!! That’s how I would describe mama and daddy blue jay! Even the robins they peacefully shared the yard with these past weeks were chased away!

God spoke to my heart and said, “That’s how jealous and protective I am of you, my child!” Now there’s something to meditate on for a while and let sink into my spirit!!!