29 March 2019

A hoarse croak from the silver birches by the garden rough patch. Crow-like, but not entirely like a normal crow.

A minor commotion as the croaker spots me and burst from the branches: a jay. Another commotion: two jays. Rare garden visitors in this neck of the non-woods.

They fly away across the field on awkward, mechanical wings. Jays always give the impression of being unaccomplished fliers: capable, certainly, but nothing to write home about. Something, nevertheless, to write about here.

Richard Carter

Richard Carter is a writer and photo­grapher living in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. He is currently working on a book about looking at the world through Darwin’s eyes.Website · Newsletter · Mastodon · Facebook

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