You are an inspiration, and these images are divine. Your quiet presence among these birds is probably legendary for them. Each generation likely passes on to the next that you are no threat. Thank you for your newsletters.
Those photos are, well, I try not to use this expression, but they are to die for. Blue-winged Warbler, OMG, what an image. Your gentle prodding toward knowing the self, also a treasure. Beautiful essay!
Your photographs are absolutely gorgeous , Bill. The golden winged Warbler’s photograph reminds me of a butterfly emerging from the chrysalis case ( a very large butterfly 🦋).
And our Ovenbird friends, so common and abundant in the summer, sometimes I shamefully took them for granted with their “tea-cher, Tea-cher, TEA-cher” call. Now I look at your photograph and am reminded how beautiful they are with there distinctive artistic markings. I notice a difference in the birds too, unless it is just me, knowing the vast majority of our migrators are already on their journey . And the rest of the migrators will follow soon enough.
Maybe we feel differently, aware that our time with them is dwindling , as is their season. Maybe we are just a little more careful when we are near. Catching our last glimpse until Spring. The female Am. Goldfinch “napping” ( do birds actually nap?) on the Coneflower. What a spellbinding moment.
“This is one of my new in life. I want to hear the sound of finch dreams.”
A worthy goal!
Knowing ‘our’ friend , I would not be at all surprised if she has seen what they dream too.
Thank you. I appreciated getting such good views of the Golden-winged Warbler. I was near him for a few minutes, which is unusual. Have you seen an Ovenbird strut? They walk around like a minuature woodcock. It is hard not to fall into their rythym when you watch them. Birds do take naps, but they are wired differently than we are. They can shut down half of their brain and keep the other half active. You can see sleep gradually overtake them if you watch closely. It is one of my favorite things to see. They become so calm and still for a few moments.
No, I have only spotted them in dense branches. Have you ever seen their dome shaped nests? I never knew until recently that their nest shape reflected their name. Endlessly amazing bird facts to occupy the mind! And new things to watch for, a nap and a strut.
Robert Frost is my favorite poet, you’ve probably read this one, but just in case;
I am glad to hear you like Robert Frost. That poem seems to show up in a lot of places. I have another new goal now. I am going to try and capture a video of a strutting Ovenbird so we can all go through life with a little more pep in our step.
Loved this one Bill. It made me think of Mary Oliver’s poem “Invitation” which is on my mind this week. I also woke up this morning trying a Tara Brach strategy which is to identify three things you are grateful for, one way that you helped someone and one thing you savored. Savoring requires pausing for just 15 seconds and taking it in. On bad days, I forget to do it. I thought you might like this interview and Trish Kane’s book if you haven’t heard of it already. Good luck with your book chapter. https://open.substack.com/pub/winship/p/the-interview-trish-okane?r=qqbxq&utm_medium=ios
Hi Mary, Tara Brach, Mary Oliver, and Trish Kane are a wonderful trio. I read Trish's book a couple of weeks ago. I was particularly impressed by her work protecting the park in Madison. She had such dedication and persistence to preserving the park over an extended period of time. I think this is what it takes to achieve substantial wins for wildlife. We submitted our contribution to the book on Monday. It was a relief to send it in.
Extraordinary. Thank you again for sharing such a special experience. Those photographs!!! Sigh… And I love the poem. I suspect I’m doing so well because I do listen to my body. Give it time and space and rest as required and it bounces back beautifully thank goodness. Hugs from afar.
Pretty sure nature is working on you getting your wish of finch dreaming. Perhaps it will happen in a dream! I have memories of two of my cats with unique snores. One of which was endearing little quiet puffs and the other I called twittering. To open my eyes and ears a little more each day will be my goal after reading that lovely anonymous poem. Let the minor ache in my back be the herald to do so. As always with much appreciation. May your American persimmons piece sing as sweetly.
Thank you Sandy. I think sleeping cats and dogs offer a good vantage point for reflecting on bird dreams. I hope your wide open eyes and ears bring you joy.
Thank you for taking time out of your writing deadline to share your post.
As always, it didn’t disappoint. Loved the poem at the end, I certainly can relate!
Dreaming finches (and birds in general…), such a potent image. And to say thank you! for your ever-lovely photos…
You are an inspiration, and these images are divine. Your quiet presence among these birds is probably legendary for them. Each generation likely passes on to the next that you are no threat. Thank you for your newsletters.
So many good words. This I need to practice - “After 15 minutes of standing still, they seemed to consider me part of the prairie…”
Birds are so hard to photograph. These shots are exceptional.
Words and images pass together.
I keep an eye out for birds. Are they there but hidden?
When I see your pictures looking at me I get a sensation I’m holding one carefully in my hand and the little heart is beating.
"I want to hear the sound of finch dreams."
Perfetto
Those photos are, well, I try not to use this expression, but they are to die for. Blue-winged Warbler, OMG, what an image. Your gentle prodding toward knowing the self, also a treasure. Beautiful essay!
Your photographs are absolutely gorgeous , Bill. The golden winged Warbler’s photograph reminds me of a butterfly emerging from the chrysalis case ( a very large butterfly 🦋).
And our Ovenbird friends, so common and abundant in the summer, sometimes I shamefully took them for granted with their “tea-cher, Tea-cher, TEA-cher” call. Now I look at your photograph and am reminded how beautiful they are with there distinctive artistic markings. I notice a difference in the birds too, unless it is just me, knowing the vast majority of our migrators are already on their journey . And the rest of the migrators will follow soon enough.
Maybe we feel differently, aware that our time with them is dwindling , as is their season. Maybe we are just a little more careful when we are near. Catching our last glimpse until Spring. The female Am. Goldfinch “napping” ( do birds actually nap?) on the Coneflower. What a spellbinding moment.
“This is one of my new in life. I want to hear the sound of finch dreams.”
A worthy goal!
Knowing ‘our’ friend , I would not be at all surprised if she has seen what they dream too.
Thank you. I appreciated getting such good views of the Golden-winged Warbler. I was near him for a few minutes, which is unusual. Have you seen an Ovenbird strut? They walk around like a minuature woodcock. It is hard not to fall into their rythym when you watch them. Birds do take naps, but they are wired differently than we are. They can shut down half of their brain and keep the other half active. You can see sleep gradually overtake them if you watch closely. It is one of my favorite things to see. They become so calm and still for a few moments.
No, I have only spotted them in dense branches. Have you ever seen their dome shaped nests? I never knew until recently that their nest shape reflected their name. Endlessly amazing bird facts to occupy the mind! And new things to watch for, a nap and a strut.
Robert Frost is my favorite poet, you’ve probably read this one, but just in case;
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44269/the-oven-bird
I am glad to hear you like Robert Frost. That poem seems to show up in a lot of places. I have another new goal now. I am going to try and capture a video of a strutting Ovenbird so we can all go through life with a little more pep in our step.
Oh, you definitely should!
I know you must have seen this, but always fun to watch again;
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ne6nj9AgY7M
That makes me laugh every time. The Ovenbird has a more subtle strut.
Ya know, an entire post dedicated to bird struts and moves . Would be wonderful !
Add in the Ruffed Grouse…
That is a good idea. That would be fun to research and write.
I certainly have my suspicions…♥️
such magnificent photos, bill. and tara's share. this whole entry - so precious. thank you.
i live deep in a wooded hollow and my birds live inside very old hemlock trees. i do not see them very often but i hear them all the time.
wishing you ease with your writing deadline on american persimmons.
Beautiful thoughts, beautiful photos. Thank you for starting my day out in the best possible way this morning, Bill!
What a wonderful encounter! Your photos are beautiful and I love the idea of listening to finches dream
Loved this one Bill. It made me think of Mary Oliver’s poem “Invitation” which is on my mind this week. I also woke up this morning trying a Tara Brach strategy which is to identify three things you are grateful for, one way that you helped someone and one thing you savored. Savoring requires pausing for just 15 seconds and taking it in. On bad days, I forget to do it. I thought you might like this interview and Trish Kane’s book if you haven’t heard of it already. Good luck with your book chapter. https://open.substack.com/pub/winship/p/the-interview-trish-okane?r=qqbxq&utm_medium=ios
Hi Mary, Tara Brach, Mary Oliver, and Trish Kane are a wonderful trio. I read Trish's book a couple of weeks ago. I was particularly impressed by her work protecting the park in Madison. She had such dedication and persistence to preserving the park over an extended period of time. I think this is what it takes to achieve substantial wins for wildlife. We submitted our contribution to the book on Monday. It was a relief to send it in.
That is so cool!
I’m always so grateful when you share your photos. It’s like a deep breath in my day. Thank you so much.
You are welcome. Thanks for letting me know that you appreciate them.
Extraordinary. Thank you again for sharing such a special experience. Those photographs!!! Sigh… And I love the poem. I suspect I’m doing so well because I do listen to my body. Give it time and space and rest as required and it bounces back beautifully thank goodness. Hugs from afar.
Pretty sure nature is working on you getting your wish of finch dreaming. Perhaps it will happen in a dream! I have memories of two of my cats with unique snores. One of which was endearing little quiet puffs and the other I called twittering. To open my eyes and ears a little more each day will be my goal after reading that lovely anonymous poem. Let the minor ache in my back be the herald to do so. As always with much appreciation. May your American persimmons piece sing as sweetly.
Thank you Sandy. I think sleeping cats and dogs offer a good vantage point for reflecting on bird dreams. I hope your wide open eyes and ears bring you joy.