I haven't seen, nor heard many blue jays of late around here in the precinct of western Pickering. When I do hear a jay proclaim its presence, it tends to mimic the sound of a car door lock when activated by a fob-based radio transmitter. At some point in the year jays sound like monkeys in the trees but that might just be some of the neighbours arguing about branch dominion. When these monkey sounds coincide with hot, humid weather I feel like I'm in the jungle. It's really mesmerizing! I don't like the jungle.
There has been nothing of note to see or hear around these parts for several days. Although, the other day I spotted a couple walking their baby stroller along the street with the family dog in tow and even the family cat was following along behind the dog. Here in the suburbs it seems as if everyone is part of some surreal trance of correct behaviour such that this kind of conformity becomes quotidian. Honesty, I think the jays just couldn't take it any more and departed.
BTW, the cat found a snake in the grass next to the curb but the dog was not impressed. I was playing La Bamba on the monitors and I think that the dog did like that. I may soon get kicked out of the neighbourhood for playing music outside, but when I leave I will escort all the animals with me.
