Morning caller

Over the last week or so, twice I've heard knocking on the window pane in the living room upstairs. This morning it happened again. I had a suspicion about what might be happening, but today I confirmed it. I crept up the steps with my camera and saw a great big Steller's jay knocking on the window with his beak. (It was absolutely a Steller and not a woodpecker of any kind. That color, that crest, can't be mistaken.) I moved a little too quickly. He noticed me, gave me the gimlet eye, turned and flew into the enormous fir tree in the neighbor's yard. He squawked a few times to express his displeasure at being disturbed, and then went silent.

For the last 7 years or so, I've been aware of the family of Steller's jays that nest in that tree. Though they have been known to peer into the apartment from my balcony railing--peeping jays--they have never until this year been assertive enough to call on their neighbor in quite this way.

::glee::