Wonderful encounters and love the photos. There is something about American Robins that is striking - I don't know if it's their boldness or spirit or some unknown quality. That last photo of the American Robin is amazing with the contrasting dark background and glinting eye. Thanks for sharing.
I do love the robins, more so because my family had one from the time it was barely a fledgling. My boys found it in the yard, they had actually taken it away from a cat. It had a crippled foot and never did learn to fly well. He would start out ok, but then circle around like a boomerang and end up back at my feet. He ended up living with us for 12 years until he passed. I lived in NJ at the time and had the robins song all year long. I miss that beautiful silly bird.
You’re right, Bill. Observing birds makes one aware of many other sights and sounds we manage to tune out most days. There are raindrops hanging along the limbs of trees today. And the breeze makes the very dry leaves clatter, not russel. Also, IMAGINE is one of my grandson’s nap time songs.
Oh my! I’ve never shared space with a group of a thousand robins but now I look forward to that happening someday. Your images brought tears of happiness to my eyes while ending with John Lennon’s words brought tears of sadness. Even so, I’m going to find the book mentioned by one of your commenters to read to our 3 year old grandson, with hopeful tears. Thank you for sharing the beauty you see in our world.
Another wonderful post. I so appreciate these. This morning I'm reminded that it was my father who taught me to be still in nature, starting when I was only two years old. We spent a lot of time in the woods, waiting and watching for birds and wildlife. These memories have lasted a lifetime. My father would have enjoyed reading your letters as much as I do.
What a lovely, lovely essay. You and your compatriot Jason seem to be drinking from the same deep wellspring of the soft eye, the quiet heart. It is a privilege to read your writings.
I entered a robin wonderland this morning while walking on a path at Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. Robins everywhere! You captured their presence for sure!
Yes, it was quite the adventure and that was before we had computers. I had a typewriter though and I would write almost daily about that Robin and weekly updates via snail mail to my family.
The boys named him “Caesar” because he still had a downy crown of baby feathers around his head. Fortunately we had a vet in our area that was also an avian doctor. But I learned how and what to feed him by calling a bird rescue sanctuary. There was no Google back then. I’ll have to see if I can find those old letters. There may just be a book in there. Thanks for the thought.
I love your expression “Beauty is inviting. I naturally soften my gaze and body language.”! I always try to help people learn to notice this. It takes so much unlearning to get there.
I love robins, they are my morning friends on cold winter walks. The ducks are shy this time of year at Timber Creek, as it is hunting season here. I saw hooded mergansers and buffleheads, but from very far away through my glasses.
Thank you. I enjoy imagining your walks with nature. Robins have been a part of our backyard birdwatching this fall, too. Some mornings our birdbath has been a flurry of activity. The crab apple tree has attracted many, too.
This brought tears. Your selection of ending with the poetry of my youth was dear. We need to be still in nature so that other lives continue around us. That is when we discover connections. Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful encounters and love the photos. There is something about American Robins that is striking - I don't know if it's their boldness or spirit or some unknown quality. That last photo of the American Robin is amazing with the contrasting dark background and glinting eye. Thanks for sharing.
I do love the robins, more so because my family had one from the time it was barely a fledgling. My boys found it in the yard, they had actually taken it away from a cat. It had a crippled foot and never did learn to fly well. He would start out ok, but then circle around like a boomerang and end up back at my feet. He ended up living with us for 12 years until he passed. I lived in NJ at the time and had the robins song all year long. I miss that beautiful silly bird.
Thanks for jogging that memory.
I love your pictures!
Beautiful writing and recollections. "When you become still, you become beautiful." That will stick with me for a long time.
You’re right, Bill. Observing birds makes one aware of many other sights and sounds we manage to tune out most days. There are raindrops hanging along the limbs of trees today. And the breeze makes the very dry leaves clatter, not russel. Also, IMAGINE is one of my grandson’s nap time songs.
Oh my! I’ve never shared space with a group of a thousand robins but now I look forward to that happening someday. Your images brought tears of happiness to my eyes while ending with John Lennon’s words brought tears of sadness. Even so, I’m going to find the book mentioned by one of your commenters to read to our 3 year old grandson, with hopeful tears. Thank you for sharing the beauty you see in our world.
Another wonderful post. I so appreciate these. This morning I'm reminded that it was my father who taught me to be still in nature, starting when I was only two years old. We spent a lot of time in the woods, waiting and watching for birds and wildlife. These memories have lasted a lifetime. My father would have enjoyed reading your letters as much as I do.
What a lovely, lovely essay. You and your compatriot Jason seem to be drinking from the same deep wellspring of the soft eye, the quiet heart. It is a privilege to read your writings.
I entered a robin wonderland this morning while walking on a path at Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. Robins everywhere! You captured their presence for sure!
Beautiful pictures. It may just be me,an inexperienced bird watcher,but I can't remember the last time I saw a robin 🤷♀️
You bring peace into existence. Thank you.
Yes, it was quite the adventure and that was before we had computers. I had a typewriter though and I would write almost daily about that Robin and weekly updates via snail mail to my family.
The boys named him “Caesar” because he still had a downy crown of baby feathers around his head. Fortunately we had a vet in our area that was also an avian doctor. But I learned how and what to feed him by calling a bird rescue sanctuary. There was no Google back then. I’ll have to see if I can find those old letters. There may just be a book in there. Thanks for the thought.
I love your expression “Beauty is inviting. I naturally soften my gaze and body language.”! I always try to help people learn to notice this. It takes so much unlearning to get there.
I love robins, they are my morning friends on cold winter walks. The ducks are shy this time of year at Timber Creek, as it is hunting season here. I saw hooded mergansers and buffleheads, but from very far away through my glasses.
Thank you. I enjoy imagining your walks with nature. Robins have been a part of our backyard birdwatching this fall, too. Some mornings our birdbath has been a flurry of activity. The crab apple tree has attracted many, too.
This brought tears. Your selection of ending with the poetry of my youth was dear. We need to be still in nature so that other lives continue around us. That is when we discover connections. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful. Thank you.