Thanks for sharing Sydney! That Northern Cardinal quite literally made me stop and appreciate their cheeriness and song that morning. I love that Common Loon image and you describe the water perfectly as "silver ripples of time and memory." Beautiful!
Beautiful article, Sydney. You gotta luvluvluv that autocorrect. What would happen if we let it change our writing, if we didn’t correct the autocorrect? Can you imagine the post?
Not unlike being sung a lullaby. Not to be put to sleep, rather, to be bathed in the whole of information about the birds in the air and the flowers in the fields. Certain birdsongs I’m not familiar with, like the hermit thrush, prompted me to use the Merlin app from the Cornell Bird Lab to experience their voices. So grateful for that technology! Also grateful for being able to sample your bird environment! As always Sydney I’m grateful for your writing and your generosity in sharing information. To inform and delight your readers.
“Each bird, of course, is simply being the bird that it is, singing the song that it sings, complete in its existence without fragmentation of emotion. The cardinal is not happy while the loon is sad, the robin laughing while the crow is scolding. They are each cardinal-ing and loon-ing, robin-ing and crow-ing, in fullness of their own individual beings.”
This is so thought-nudging! Often I find myself trying to avoid what feels sad, mournful, provocative of “shade” feelings.
What if those things/experiences are here as part of what makes life whole?
Arya and I thank you for this thoughtful post. I never tire of birds, of their singing, communicating, their playfulness, their acrobatics, their gentleness and genuineness. I too have a daily visit from a male cardinal and his mate, along with the sparrows, black birds, crows. In the morning, I put out seeds. It is a daily ritural. They all come, and what joy it is.
Beautiful thoughts, Sydney! I’ve always adored Cardinals. My guess about why they’re cheerful is that they go about in pairs. Their mate is always close by, their companion in adventure, and what could be better than that? We don’t have Loons here in Maryland but the cove where I live is home to a few magnificent herons, including a sassy loner Great Blue and an elegant Egret.
Thanks so much, Julie! I think it's so healthy to let our minds explore the various reasons why wild creatures might be the way they are. I always find those paths lead to encouraging conclusions! And you're right, the Cardinal we saw each morning in Texas was always with his lady 😉 (And thank you so much, it's always reassuring to hear that someone enjoys the audio!)
A wonderful reflection on the deeper things we can learn from the not so simple songs of everyday birds! So glad to read it and see the scripture connection you made. Thank you for posting!
Thanks for sharing Sydney! That Northern Cardinal quite literally made me stop and appreciate their cheeriness and song that morning. I love that Common Loon image and you describe the water perfectly as "silver ripples of time and memory." Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Neil! It was so fun to find myself inspired by your Cardinal connection!
Beautiful article, Sydney. You gotta luvluvluv that autocorrect. What would happen if we let it change our writing, if we didn’t correct the autocorrect? Can you imagine the post?
🤣 That would probably be so fun to try sometime 🤣
Let’s stay on the radar about it. 🐾🐾
It's hard to pick a favorite line from this beautiful essay, but here is one that stands out: "there’s a bird for that!"
I love that too! It made me laugh with joy.
Thanks, Julie! Writing often helps me realize things, and when I wrote/realized that "there's a bird for that", I laughed with delight, too!
Thank you so much, Sarah! I must confess, I giggle in my heart whenever I consider that "there's a bird for that" :)
I love how writing serves up insights I wouldn't have unless I take the time to think something through.
Not unlike being sung a lullaby. Not to be put to sleep, rather, to be bathed in the whole of information about the birds in the air and the flowers in the fields. Certain birdsongs I’m not familiar with, like the hermit thrush, prompted me to use the Merlin app from the Cornell Bird Lab to experience their voices. So grateful for that technology! Also grateful for being able to sample your bird environment! As always Sydney I’m grateful for your writing and your generosity in sharing information. To inform and delight your readers.
“Each bird, of course, is simply being the bird that it is, singing the song that it sings, complete in its existence without fragmentation of emotion. The cardinal is not happy while the loon is sad, the robin laughing while the crow is scolding. They are each cardinal-ing and loon-ing, robin-ing and crow-ing, in fullness of their own individual beings.”
This is so thought-nudging! Often I find myself trying to avoid what feels sad, mournful, provocative of “shade” feelings.
What if those things/experiences are here as part of what makes life whole?
Exactly right, and something that I often feel nature reminding me!
Just lovely. Thanks for the beautiful, soul touching read.
Thank you so much, Lindsay, so glad to have shared this moment with you :) 💕
Arya and I thank you for this thoughtful post. I never tire of birds, of their singing, communicating, their playfulness, their acrobatics, their gentleness and genuineness. I too have a daily visit from a male cardinal and his mate, along with the sparrows, black birds, crows. In the morning, I put out seeds. It is a daily ritural. They all come, and what joy it is.
Beautiful thoughts, Sydney! I’ve always adored Cardinals. My guess about why they’re cheerful is that they go about in pairs. Their mate is always close by, their companion in adventure, and what could be better than that? We don’t have Loons here in Maryland but the cove where I live is home to a few magnificent herons, including a sassy loner Great Blue and an elegant Egret.
PS I really enjoyed your audio narration.
Thanks so much, Julie! I think it's so healthy to let our minds explore the various reasons why wild creatures might be the way they are. I always find those paths lead to encouraging conclusions! And you're right, the Cardinal we saw each morning in Texas was always with his lady 😉 (And thank you so much, it's always reassuring to hear that someone enjoys the audio!)
A wonderful reflection on the deeper things we can learn from the not so simple songs of everyday birds! So glad to read it and see the scripture connection you made. Thank you for posting!
Thank you, Benjamin, so glad to have shared this with you! :)
Loved it!
Thank you so much, Sandy!
The beautiful tapestry of life. Happy sigh. Thanks so much. 🤗💕
Thanks for being here, Beth! 💕