David! What delightful magic you've shared! Oh, I thank you for this up-close and personal look at this precious Lesser Goldfinch family! Truly a divine encounter!
Well now, I am so very late to this magic trick I got to see the whole caboodle in one sitting! And you know what my dear David, I am not sorry, not one tiny little regurgitated crumb of sorry!
That you didn't suffer heat stroke, that you spotted the nest in the first place, then captured such tiny miracles of nature on film - I zoomed in muttering words my husband often says when awestruck which shouldn't be repeated but I will because really, 'fuck my ragged arse' just about sums up not only my incredulity but the fact that you just confirmed a belief that I've mentioned before but now know for absolute certainty to be true!
My Perry you are a magician, a regular modern day Dr Doolittle and I love you!
News of your 'not one tiny little crumb of sorry' travels fast and is lighter than air. It floats, and leaves me lightened. I should say that those sweltering hours sitting there in the dirt accumulated over three sessions, on three different days. I didn't want to overtax the Lessers, and really, two hours sitting cross-legged in the dirt was about my outer limit. But ohh, my. During those accumulated minutes when we were all there together, I felt as if I was in a dream.
I would like to say that here in my little corner of North America where we are currently not endearing ourselves to most of the rest of the world much, and earning both their suspicion and ire, your "Fuck My Ragged Arse" battle cry feels like literary perfection. I would humbly propose that it become the official catchphrase of all overwhelmingly enchanted souls (or at least this one), for the next fortnight or so. With permission. Of course.
Love,
Dr. Doolittle and the whole caboodle. (You are such a funny and delightful goose).
I just double checked with my dear beloved, his reply, after ranting at me for the last half hour (at least) on world troubles which I will never fully understand, after berating me for using such an expression for all the world to see was ‘be my guest!’ So permission granted dear David. I hope it has some clout!
Well now isn't this just like being handed a shiny coin on a Saturday morning and told to go treat myself to a movie at the cinema... We shall see just what sort of magic such currency can purchase...
What a story, David! You certainly have the magic touch, and your photos are unbelievable. The trust the birds show you are a testament to your respect and awe of them.
Dearest David, (my) David & I just spent a signifianct amount of time staring, lovingly, in awe, at the absolute perfection that you’ve managed to capture here. The fact that Papa Lesser Tseeeyyyoooo’d in front of you speaks volumes. PL knows a friend when he sees one. Thank you, sincerely, for your way of being in the world, and for sharing your special eye with us.
(PS. we stared at the large image of PL feeding the three babies for extra long, until I broke the silence by loudly exclaiming, with a great deal of certainty “Absolutely fucking miraculous!” 🙊)
Dearest Chloe (Hi, David), I've just read your most lovely note a second time. Kind of a rough day here, today, so this feels like a life ring, a long rope and a generous soul at the other end. Thank you.
I laughed out loud when I read your delightful, hilarious, silence breaker.
As one might guess, I felt as if I were in some sacred space between dimensions while sitting there with all this unfolding life force in the poetic moment... and was so grateful that I could capture it, because, ...how would I ever even begin to explain all of that wonder without some visual imagery to enlarge and back it up. Even people who like me might not believe me... Seeing makes such a difference.
You probably didn't know that you were riding in on a winged horse to toss me a life line today, but you did. And I am grateful to both you and David. Thank you.
I'm also just beaming that I could offer my soulful, bird healer, feeder, whisperer, shaman friend something, anything worthy of an exclamatory “Absolutely fucking miraculous!”
Your uncanny ‘birdy hunch’, for quite a while now, I have been convinced that you have Marvel level superpowers. I haven’t quite come up with a name for you yet, you’ll be the first to know when I do. Seriously, the video , the close up of the nest and actual feeding, is magnificent. Truly, thank you for every word , every moment ( every hour?!)
Thank you for quietly, patiently waiting for the magic. And since I am also a bird nerd, I love every detail you have witnessed, and carefully documented, and how only you, know the secret to adding a large dose of just plain fun!
"...for quite a while now, I have been convinced that you have Marvel level superpowers."
May I quote you, Lor, when I'm next standing in the hardware store without a clue as to what I went there to get? Or when I tell another lame-o 'dad-joke' and my step-daughters give me another loving eye-roll?
I love that you're here and that we're good enough virtual friends that we can wink and chuckle, and say our heartfelt thank yous. You are sunshine. And I am most grateful.
Oh, David.... You have charmed me once again with your devotion to magical details. This gift of yours is such a blessing to us, your readers! I didn't know that some birds feed their young a vegetarian diet, as I thought all birds needed insects for their first meals. Now you have added to my store of bird knowledge and I am off on a search to see if American Goldfinches follow that same pattern, as that is the variety we host here in Pennsylvania.
Thank you so much for your time and dedication and mostly your eye tuned to magic!
Probably your research has already told you that American Goldfinches too are vegetarians, and that they too feed their littles a strictly vegetarian diet, which is a lot of work, but uniquely their way. I'm so pleased that this little story was food for thought for you. And you are most welcome. It is a pleasure to share stories with such grateful learners.
I see your note on human presence disturbing predation. We have a fair amount of habitat round our house, but we notice that especially the nesting small birds come close in. We have had the privilege of a couple of 'Red List' (UK) species fledge from holes in our walls. I guess the sites get a bit crowded and we sometimes lose an injudicious nest early on - we think there are visiting stoats before the voles become plentiful further out.
Even in winter we have one 'roost' behind an old window frame stuffed with small birds every night. They arrive carefully at 'the safe house' in the almost dark, which is late afternoon here. The owls will patrol our field and hedges and the Sparrow Hawks (a small falcon) raid the orchard in daylight, but not too close. A couple of weeks ago a brood of young Tawney owls kicked up a commotion a few nights on the edge of the orchard, 'branching' from the ruined barn and calling for food. The residents roosting in the apple trees expressed alarm and disapproval but I doubt there were any casualties.
I learn at you feet, a master of unexpected enchantments. More and more, I find myself erring in the side of magic, so that magic might learn my name and call out to me as it calls to you. Thank you David, this was a beautiful and unexpected enchantment to read 💛✨
"More and more, I find myself erring on the side of magic..."
I see that. In your art and storytelling, in your kind ways of encouraging peeps like me as we do our best to share things worth notice. I'm ever so grateful to know you.
I read Part One and was eagerly awaiting Part Two today. Talk about magic. You sir, have a magical eye and magical heart. And you are, undoubtedly, a truly talented storyteller. A thousand thanks for sharing your exquisite observations. We all need this, especially at this time....
Simply divine David. I, too, will never look at a Lesser daddy the same. The sweet reassurance just melts me! Can we open a school where Lesser Goldfinch dads teach young human men how to love and tend? Imagine how different the human species would be if we received nature’s infinite lessons you so gracefully and patiently welcome.
Whoa, so great to learn about the way they feed their young! I have a water fountain outside the living room window about 6 feet from where I sit and read. Whenever I hear their plaintive call I look up and am usually treated to a couple of male and female “lesser” goldfinches taking a bath or having a drink. Magical indeed.
I'd be pinching myself, Jean if I could almost daily watch a pair of Lessers bathing and going about their lives. These were about six hours from home and so, rather 'new' and unfamiliar to my senses...
David! What delightful magic you've shared! Oh, I thank you for this up-close and personal look at this precious Lesser Goldfinch family! Truly a divine encounter!
Many blessings and MUCH LOVE,
~Wendy💜
Well now, I am so very late to this magic trick I got to see the whole caboodle in one sitting! And you know what my dear David, I am not sorry, not one tiny little regurgitated crumb of sorry!
That you didn't suffer heat stroke, that you spotted the nest in the first place, then captured such tiny miracles of nature on film - I zoomed in muttering words my husband often says when awestruck which shouldn't be repeated but I will because really, 'fuck my ragged arse' just about sums up not only my incredulity but the fact that you just confirmed a belief that I've mentioned before but now know for absolute certainty to be true!
My Perry you are a magician, a regular modern day Dr Doolittle and I love you!
Wow, and that was a really big loud wow!
Dearest Hillside Magician,
News of your 'not one tiny little crumb of sorry' travels fast and is lighter than air. It floats, and leaves me lightened. I should say that those sweltering hours sitting there in the dirt accumulated over three sessions, on three different days. I didn't want to overtax the Lessers, and really, two hours sitting cross-legged in the dirt was about my outer limit. But ohh, my. During those accumulated minutes when we were all there together, I felt as if I was in a dream.
I would like to say that here in my little corner of North America where we are currently not endearing ourselves to most of the rest of the world much, and earning both their suspicion and ire, your "Fuck My Ragged Arse" battle cry feels like literary perfection. I would humbly propose that it become the official catchphrase of all overwhelmingly enchanted souls (or at least this one), for the next fortnight or so. With permission. Of course.
Love,
Dr. Doolittle and the whole caboodle. (You are such a funny and delightful goose).
I just double checked with my dear beloved, his reply, after ranting at me for the last half hour (at least) on world troubles which I will never fully understand, after berating me for using such an expression for all the world to see was ‘be my guest!’ So permission granted dear David. I hope it has some clout!
Well now isn't this just like being handed a shiny coin on a Saturday morning and told to go treat myself to a movie at the cinema... We shall see just what sort of magic such currency can purchase...
What a story, David! You certainly have the magic touch, and your photos are unbelievable. The trust the birds show you are a testament to your respect and awe of them.
Dearest David, (my) David & I just spent a signifianct amount of time staring, lovingly, in awe, at the absolute perfection that you’ve managed to capture here. The fact that Papa Lesser Tseeeyyyoooo’d in front of you speaks volumes. PL knows a friend when he sees one. Thank you, sincerely, for your way of being in the world, and for sharing your special eye with us.
(PS. we stared at the large image of PL feeding the three babies for extra long, until I broke the silence by loudly exclaiming, with a great deal of certainty “Absolutely fucking miraculous!” 🙊)
Dearest Chloe (Hi, David), I've just read your most lovely note a second time. Kind of a rough day here, today, so this feels like a life ring, a long rope and a generous soul at the other end. Thank you.
I laughed out loud when I read your delightful, hilarious, silence breaker.
As one might guess, I felt as if I were in some sacred space between dimensions while sitting there with all this unfolding life force in the poetic moment... and was so grateful that I could capture it, because, ...how would I ever even begin to explain all of that wonder without some visual imagery to enlarge and back it up. Even people who like me might not believe me... Seeing makes such a difference.
You probably didn't know that you were riding in on a winged horse to toss me a life line today, but you did. And I am grateful to both you and David. Thank you.
I'm also just beaming that I could offer my soulful, bird healer, feeder, whisperer, shaman friend something, anything worthy of an exclamatory “Absolutely fucking miraculous!”
Feels like bonus points.
Big hug...
A belated but nonetheless big (BIG) hug to you, my dear friend. I hope that you're out of those rough waters, now ♥️
Thanks, Chloe dear.
What an amazing story, couldn’t help but smile and stand in wonder…
I have a hunch that these little, feathered folk would get you, my friend.
Your uncanny ‘birdy hunch’, for quite a while now, I have been convinced that you have Marvel level superpowers. I haven’t quite come up with a name for you yet, you’ll be the first to know when I do. Seriously, the video , the close up of the nest and actual feeding, is magnificent. Truly, thank you for every word , every moment ( every hour?!)
Thank you for quietly, patiently waiting for the magic. And since I am also a bird nerd, I love every detail you have witnessed, and carefully documented, and how only you, know the secret to adding a large dose of just plain fun!
Yeah, you can quote me,
and
me too .
"...for quite a while now, I have been convinced that you have Marvel level superpowers."
May I quote you, Lor, when I'm next standing in the hardware store without a clue as to what I went there to get? Or when I tell another lame-o 'dad-joke' and my step-daughters give me another loving eye-roll?
I love that you're here and that we're good enough virtual friends that we can wink and chuckle, and say our heartfelt thank yous. You are sunshine. And I am most grateful.
I am in awe of your patience and careful attention. And you have shared the gorgeous rewards of this with us. So many thanks.
Dear Mary, you are most welcome, of course. I'm delighted that you were here to dip a toe in the waters of discovery with me and the Lessers.
Oh, David.... You have charmed me once again with your devotion to magical details. This gift of yours is such a blessing to us, your readers! I didn't know that some birds feed their young a vegetarian diet, as I thought all birds needed insects for their first meals. Now you have added to my store of bird knowledge and I am off on a search to see if American Goldfinches follow that same pattern, as that is the variety we host here in Pennsylvania.
Thank you so much for your time and dedication and mostly your eye tuned to magic!
Hi Jady,
Your note is a treat.
Probably your research has already told you that American Goldfinches too are vegetarians, and that they too feed their littles a strictly vegetarian diet, which is a lot of work, but uniquely their way. I'm so pleased that this little story was food for thought for you. And you are most welcome. It is a pleasure to share stories with such grateful learners.
Yes, magic has got your name.
Brilliant.
I see your note on human presence disturbing predation. We have a fair amount of habitat round our house, but we notice that especially the nesting small birds come close in. We have had the privilege of a couple of 'Red List' (UK) species fledge from holes in our walls. I guess the sites get a bit crowded and we sometimes lose an injudicious nest early on - we think there are visiting stoats before the voles become plentiful further out.
Even in winter we have one 'roost' behind an old window frame stuffed with small birds every night. They arrive carefully at 'the safe house' in the almost dark, which is late afternoon here. The owls will patrol our field and hedges and the Sparrow Hawks (a small falcon) raid the orchard in daylight, but not too close. A couple of weeks ago a brood of young Tawney owls kicked up a commotion a few nights on the edge of the orchard, 'branching' from the ruined barn and calling for food. The residents roosting in the apple trees expressed alarm and disapproval but I doubt there were any casualties.
Mercy sakes, Phillip, this note is a full meal ...and delicious.
Thank you for bringing such kindness and thoughfulness to this little potluck.
I learn at you feet, a master of unexpected enchantments. More and more, I find myself erring in the side of magic, so that magic might learn my name and call out to me as it calls to you. Thank you David, this was a beautiful and unexpected enchantment to read 💛✨
Emily, Emily, Emily...
"More and more, I find myself erring on the side of magic..."
I see that. In your art and storytelling, in your kind ways of encouraging peeps like me as we do our best to share things worth notice. I'm ever so grateful to know you.
And I, you, David. You bring the magic 💛✨
Magic will learn your name! 💕
smile...
I read Part One and was eagerly awaiting Part Two today. Talk about magic. You sir, have a magical eye and magical heart. And you are, undoubtedly, a truly talented storyteller. A thousand thanks for sharing your exquisite observations. We all need this, especially at this time....
Gosh, JPM, this is so generous. Thank you.
That was lovely. Thank you.
Simply divine David. I, too, will never look at a Lesser daddy the same. The sweet reassurance just melts me! Can we open a school where Lesser Goldfinch dads teach young human men how to love and tend? Imagine how different the human species would be if we received nature’s infinite lessons you so gracefully and patiently welcome.
I giggled when I read your 'Lesser Daddy' affectation. Maybe I need a t-shirt: Lesser Daddy Appreciation Society.
Love your idea of a school, too. We could learn so much from these little poets...
How wonderful you are and how sweet this note. Thank you.
Yes, magical. Thank you!
Whoa, so great to learn about the way they feed their young! I have a water fountain outside the living room window about 6 feet from where I sit and read. Whenever I hear their plaintive call I look up and am usually treated to a couple of male and female “lesser” goldfinches taking a bath or having a drink. Magical indeed.
I'd be pinching myself, Jean if I could almost daily watch a pair of Lessers bathing and going about their lives. These were about six hours from home and so, rather 'new' and unfamiliar to my senses...
THank you for making time to offer such kindness.