Squawk

Squawk is our neighborhood friend. He showed up one evening about two weeks ago as we were pulling into the driveway. He kept buzzing our heads as we walked in the driveway, and not the usual dive-bomb-because-I'm-mean way that blue jays are known for doing. This was more of a "Wotcha doin'?" kind of way. We noticed over the next few nights that he would come by and say hello whenever we were out. Then we also started hearing stories from our neighbor that he rides on her shoulder while she mows, or that she has been feeding him soggy dog food, or that she named him Squawk. He is one friendly bird...but never got too close...until today!

This morning while Isaac and I were drawing with chalk in the driveway he kept getting closer and closer, until he hopped right up on my leg and then to my head! Since it was just Isaac and I, I have no visual proof. So you'll just have to take our word for it.

Then this evening he got up close and personal again!


Justin gave him a little evening snack. I'm not sure that he really knows what to do with the corn...he just carries it around for a bit.

Isaac even got brave enough to try. He likes squawk as long as he doesn't move too much. Once he starts hopping around I-man gets a little nervous and makes the greatest face and does the best shoulder shrug, but alas I have not yet captured that! Isaac also loves looking for his little birdie friend. From the moment we walk outside you can usually hear Ike exclaim "Quawk, where are ooo?"


And then he got VERY friendly with me. He hopped right up in my lap. I was just sitting there minding my own business and then he was there. Apparently he was comfortable enough with me that he thought I would make a good store house for his seeds. He found the little pleat in my shirt and started tucking in seeds. Then he hopped around to my sleeve and tucked a few there too. When it was finally time for us to go in for dinner I stood up and half a dozen seeds came falling from who-knows-where!

Squawk has certainly added a little fun to our outdoor adventures. Now as a zoo person I know good and well that Squawk is a wild animal and really should be left alone. But he makes it pretty hard!