As I was watching the birds flying around this morning thinking about Orion getting breakfast I thought about this rap/poem by Dale from 2005...
dj dale's dream: Five Weeks Dead Bluejay Head / The Juvies' Tail
I was dozing at my roost and I dreamed a glowing head,
The head was from a bluejay! Said I, you're five weeks dead!
"I never died, said he; I've been soaring through the skies;
I'm one with five young falcons gliding free with raucous cries.
I'm privy to their story, and I'll pass on what I've heard,
So, DJ, tell the DB what you're learning from this bird:"
The Juvies' Tail
"We all hatched out and pancaked
In a heap in the heat.
While we peeped and flopped around,
Our parents dragged in stuff to eat.
We won't rattle off a roster of the prey that we ate,
But the pigeons were fantastic,
And that heron sure was great.
We got big and then got bands
From huge birds with bigger hands
Than our own, our BYFs,
Which grew strong, long-taloned, massive;
(that’s compared to pigeon feet, lying pigeonless and passive.)
Well, we ledged before we fledged
(yes, Aconcagua pushed us. Wheeeeeeee......)
She's a Little Bit of trouble with a dual identity.
In some pictures we have heads and in others we're without;
Skye could spin hers in a ball just to freak her sister out.
We shunned bats
Stooped for bugs
Buzzed the gulls
And ate guts;
Flew the stacks
Practiced flaps
We had lice
And lots of kaks.
Skye met a guy and she got a wiry getup,
She hijacked a computer and her web page is all set up.
Just as lamps are warm to stand on, tag is fun to play,
We learned to torment vultures
And raise heck, like birds of prey;
We've really learned to cruise,
And it's always fun to race,
But we sometimes make Dad lose
Something tasty while we chase.
We've checked around the town,
Flown the gorge, up and down;
We've crossed bridges,
Perched on girders,
BUT THE COOLEST . . . ARE THE BIRDERS!
There are scores of patient watchers
With good lenses in our view,
And, dear birders, for a moment,
We five want to salute YOU:
Whether it's testing us for cooties,
Or watching as we grow,
Or coming to our rescue,
We want you all to know,
That the form can be a photo,
Or a slimy latex glove,
But however you express it,
We're aware of all your love!"
Epilogue
My brave blue jay head glows fainter,
As his story's end draws near;
I've conveyed his tale, and thank you
For a kakker of a year.
Oh, that brings back such great memories. Thanks for posting DJ Dale's raps!