Winter Blues - Blue Jay

In the 19th century, the second generation after the pioneers had the means and desire to bring a little graciousness and elegance into their lives. This was the Victorian period, the Canadian flag was Britain's Union Jack, but already a new all-Canadian symbol was emerging, the maple leaf. It appeared here and there as a symbol six decades before it became the centre piece of the Canadian flag.

I lived for twenty years in the rural countryside of Ontario. I delighted in the gothic revival Victorian homes. Sometimes their pagewire fences were embellished with little cast irons maple leaves. The blue jay fits perfectly into that landscape. He's not concerned with heritage or national symbol. He is fluffed with the cold and probably wondering if a nearby bird feeder will have a supply of sunflower seeds.