Offering water to the birds is a small act of kindness that is as good for us as it is for them. One of the many benefits of having water features in your yard is that they bring the birds out of the treetops. Seeing warblers and other migrants at eye level is intimate and engaging.
Bravo for the lessons you've extracted from watching the interactions of birds and bravo for sharing some of those slow-won lessons with us. Your most observant photographs are a wonder. Loved the Tennessee warblers bathing side-by side and that ecstatic cardinal... Be still my heart.
We've been enjoying the birds at the birdbath, too! A flock of robins has been coming each morning. They're fun to watch as a couple bathe and others wait their turn. Looking closely, there are more robins on the ground and on nearby tree branches. What a treat!! Thanks for your insights & observations. They're good reminders to stop and notice the nature around us.
We have a rain pond in our yard beneath the trees as a part of our rainwater drains. When it has water it has become a favorite spot for bathing for the birds grazing on our native plants and our seasonal feeder. The sparrows and their LBB friends (little brown birds per a birdwatcher who foolishly considered them beneath noticing) are entertaining but our favorites for entertainment are the starlings who hit the water like a bunch of “bros” on the Coney Island beach!
Another superb addition!! I adore the photo of the elusive ‘Bill among the bushes’. Grin. And of course the birds are once again absolutely exquisite. I love that you are tending to your own needs too, and some other ‘extraordinary gentlemen’ in your part of the world. These positive connections are so essential, to our own mental health and to our communities. Social media allows so much blatant nastiness!! There IS kindness available. These gentle interactions are a balm and a pleasure. Sending heaps of hugs and love dear Bill. Thanks so much for sharing this all with us. 🤗🤗😘🌼💕🕊️
I will read this post again, and again, along with the many thoughtful and heartfelt comments.
I had not read that Rumi poem before. Knowing that tomorrow or the next minute can change one’s life (without even living in a war zone) helps put that poem and the appreciation of life into perspective.
We also have a bird pond. I call it the Dyer Farm Bird Café & Spa. We had it reconfigured last month so the pump is deep enough to run all winter long without damage from freezing. Right now photos and videos are on our farm’s instagram site (@dyer_family_organic_farm). Watching it with (and also without) birds gives me pleasure, a retreat, and restoration.
I am also an introvert but I love sharing my observations on Instagram. Maybe someday I’ll move my writing over to Substack.
Thank you for sharing your observations and thoughts.
Another insightful essay, Bill. And thank you for the referral to the interview with the Surgeon General. What a beautiful man. And thank you, too, for gathering men together to contribute to the healing of men’s wounding.
I hadn’t actually considered how birds often bathe together but you’re absolutely right. What a delightful way to consider that the birds are connecting in this way. Determined to install a bird bath in my backyard now...
Another thoughtful home run on so many levels. We are not meant to live in isolation.... we are interconnected. Nothing else can replace that. Nature is the bible in continual action pictures. Lessons of horror and beauty. The pictures, observations, plan of connection and poem are perfect. Thank-you
Oh I love this so much. We are indeed collectively lost and it truly is kindness and community that can save us. Thank you for sharing your reflections.
The article is lovely, Bill, and the photos are amazing. They feel like x-rays somehow, or intimate portraits of the birds behind closed doors. I also like the pic of an introvert in his natural habitat...
I have a birdbath in my front and backyard. One is heated for the colder months here in western NY. I love it so much when I finally "catch" a bird using one of them. My birds always brighten my day
Nice. Much needed post at this time. I miss watching the birds around my birdbath and feeder when living in a more rural area in PA. I'd grab my bird books to look them up. Now live in FL. I now see some different birds, still have the same birdbath. Unfortunately, can't feed them anything because it attracts palm rats.
Wow, Bill. Stunningly beautiful-- the photos and the thoughts. Your camera and your heart have such clear points of view. The community you're gathering promises to be a strong and centering force in your collective lives. That's beautiful to see in these current times. Extraordinary indeed!
I am also an introvert but as I age I am realizing the importance of opening myself up more to people from the past, present and future with whom I can connect. Interesting that birds have taught you this.
We have so much to learn from animals. If only they got the respect they deserve from all humans.
Great post! We need more men and women to talk to each other and shake free of whatever isolates them. May your gathering be the first of many!
And of course, Great pictures and narrative! Love the details in the differences of how birds chose to bathe.
Oh my, Bill. This one's a gift.
Bravo for the lessons you've extracted from watching the interactions of birds and bravo for sharing some of those slow-won lessons with us. Your most observant photographs are a wonder. Loved the Tennessee warblers bathing side-by side and that ecstatic cardinal... Be still my heart.
We've been enjoying the birds at the birdbath, too! A flock of robins has been coming each morning. They're fun to watch as a couple bathe and others wait their turn. Looking closely, there are more robins on the ground and on nearby tree branches. What a treat!! Thanks for your insights & observations. They're good reminders to stop and notice the nature around us.
This is a beautiful essay, with stunning photos. Makes me want to hug you.
We have a rain pond in our yard beneath the trees as a part of our rainwater drains. When it has water it has become a favorite spot for bathing for the birds grazing on our native plants and our seasonal feeder. The sparrows and their LBB friends (little brown birds per a birdwatcher who foolishly considered them beneath noticing) are entertaining but our favorites for entertainment are the starlings who hit the water like a bunch of “bros” on the Coney Island beach!
Another superb addition!! I adore the photo of the elusive ‘Bill among the bushes’. Grin. And of course the birds are once again absolutely exquisite. I love that you are tending to your own needs too, and some other ‘extraordinary gentlemen’ in your part of the world. These positive connections are so essential, to our own mental health and to our communities. Social media allows so much blatant nastiness!! There IS kindness available. These gentle interactions are a balm and a pleasure. Sending heaps of hugs and love dear Bill. Thanks so much for sharing this all with us. 🤗🤗😘🌼💕🕊️
I will read this post again, and again, along with the many thoughtful and heartfelt comments.
I had not read that Rumi poem before. Knowing that tomorrow or the next minute can change one’s life (without even living in a war zone) helps put that poem and the appreciation of life into perspective.
We also have a bird pond. I call it the Dyer Farm Bird Café & Spa. We had it reconfigured last month so the pump is deep enough to run all winter long without damage from freezing. Right now photos and videos are on our farm’s instagram site (@dyer_family_organic_farm). Watching it with (and also without) birds gives me pleasure, a retreat, and restoration.
I am also an introvert but I love sharing my observations on Instagram. Maybe someday I’ll move my writing over to Substack.
Thank you for sharing your observations and thoughts.
Another insightful essay, Bill. And thank you for the referral to the interview with the Surgeon General. What a beautiful man. And thank you, too, for gathering men together to contribute to the healing of men’s wounding.
I hadn’t actually considered how birds often bathe together but you’re absolutely right. What a delightful way to consider that the birds are connecting in this way. Determined to install a bird bath in my backyard now...
Another thoughtful home run on so many levels. We are not meant to live in isolation.... we are interconnected. Nothing else can replace that. Nature is the bible in continual action pictures. Lessons of horror and beauty. The pictures, observations, plan of connection and poem are perfect. Thank-you
Oh I love this so much. We are indeed collectively lost and it truly is kindness and community that can save us. Thank you for sharing your reflections.
The article is lovely, Bill, and the photos are amazing. They feel like x-rays somehow, or intimate portraits of the birds behind closed doors. I also like the pic of an introvert in his natural habitat...
I have a birdbath in my front and backyard. One is heated for the colder months here in western NY. I love it so much when I finally "catch" a bird using one of them. My birds always brighten my day
Nice. Much needed post at this time. I miss watching the birds around my birdbath and feeder when living in a more rural area in PA. I'd grab my bird books to look them up. Now live in FL. I now see some different birds, still have the same birdbath. Unfortunately, can't feed them anything because it attracts palm rats.
Wow, Bill. Stunningly beautiful-- the photos and the thoughts. Your camera and your heart have such clear points of view. The community you're gathering promises to be a strong and centering force in your collective lives. That's beautiful to see in these current times. Extraordinary indeed!
I am also an introvert but as I age I am realizing the importance of opening myself up more to people from the past, present and future with whom I can connect. Interesting that birds have taught you this.
We have so much to learn from animals. If only they got the respect they deserve from all humans.