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Article: The pine & the jay. (symbiosis between blue pinon jays and pine trees) (Forest Facts)
- Article from:
- American Forests
- Article date:
- January 1, 1992
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1992 American Forests. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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There's more than symbiosis going on between these two denizens of the Southwest. By TERRY HEINER
The October afternoon is quiet, the pinon pine forest seemingly dozing in the autumn sun under a clear blue New Mexico sky. The air is filled with a resinous pine scent, and an occasional breeze whispers through the needles, lightly shaking the cones that are opening in the warm afternoon air. The more vigorous breezes are followed by the pitter-patter of pinon seeds falling to the ground.
The afternoon tranquility is suddenly shattered by the clamoring racket of a flock of several dozen blue pinon jays screeching to each other as they swoop into the forest. ...