23 Comments
User's avatar
Maria Carlos's avatar

There is so much to love about this. The adolescent boys who are full of wonder, and have the confidence to follow their instincts. The grace you afford yourself, knowing that you do better now that you know. Your gift with photography then, which you still explore after so many years. Your gift with words that tell a deeper story. Thank you, once again, for sharing all of it.

Expand full comment
David E. Perry's avatar

Dear Maria, again and again you show up, offering such generous comments and encouragement. I am ever so grateful. May your day be kind in ways beyond your wildest imaginings...

Expand full comment
Susie Mawhinney's avatar

All good things in life are learnt either from the errors of former years or by sheer gut instinct, determination and passion... you tick all those boxes my friend - every one of them and you do it every time with enviable, humble elegance Thank you.

Expand full comment
David E. Perry's avatar

What riches, to be seen so generously by someone so deliberately aware and kind. In a world so often looking for ways to take us down a peg, this is fuel, it is treasure, it is wind for life's sails.

My delight and gratitude, dear friend.

Expand full comment
Bryan Pfeiffer's avatar

Halfway through the essay, I said to myself, “What film?” And then there it was: Tri-X. Of course. Legendary! Dependable!

Expand full comment
David E. Perry's avatar

I've noticed that I smile a lot when I'm somehow around you. Your joyous approach to the world is infectious. And I chuckled when I read this note just minutes ago while waiting for the coffee to brew.

Like you, I'm sure, I grew up with Tri-X, grainy but very sharp, and familiar, and predictable. LIFE magazine stories were often shot on Tri_X. Same with much photojournalism and war photography. It wasn't fussy. It had the look of 'truth.'

Those birds were already strutting and 'plopping' in light so faint that even modern-day cameras would struggle to capture detail and freeze their movements from blurring. Most of the exposures we captured were a blurry mess. But there were a few...

There weren't many films in those days that were light sensitive enough to offer up 400 ISO speeds, which we could sometimes push to 800 if we were willing to fiddle around with development and suffer the increase in grain.

I have always loved Tri-X.

Expand full comment
Danyce Mills's avatar

I loved the innocence of this story…the tracking of things learned and the acceptance of a lack of knowledge that comes with being young.

PS Thank you Jann, I ordered your book💫

Expand full comment
David E. Perry's avatar

"loved...the tracking of things learned and the acceptance of a lack of knowledge that comes with being young."

Forgiveness is a magical thing to learn, and makes growing older ever so much kinder...

Expand full comment
Marian L Thorpe's avatar

Things I did - in innocence and good intentions - while birding almost 50 years ago can make me cringe now too. We learn, and I hope we pass that on to younger birders. With reference to The Lost Spells - there are also songs derived from another of MacFarlane/Morris's books, The Lost Words. Google SpellSongs - and if absolutely nothing else, give this one a try: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg1xFYpXuWA

Expand full comment
David E. Perry's avatar

Found a like-new copy at my local used bookstore.

Thank you for the note, and for the YouTube links.

Magic!

Expand full comment
Kimberly Warner's avatar

So much to love here. And always this way you approach life: “I’m willing to feel all the feels, the good, the bad and the careless.” A mystical goof. A sagacious clown.

And the Birding in the Apocalypse illustration? Wow. Please tell me this is the cover of a book of your prose and photography I’ll someday cherish on my bed stand.

Expand full comment
David E. Perry's avatar

Hello friend...

Such a kind note. Thank you.

"A mystical goof. A sagacious clown." I'll take a compliment like that any day. Gladly.

And thank you for noticing the Birding The Apocalypse mock up.

Not a cover (yet), but definitely an exploration in that direction.

I keep trying to find ways to keep showing up for what is beautiful even on those days when there are a thousand slings and arrows that might reasonably hold my attention. Call me "A mystical goof."

If I knew that tomorrow would be the last day for birds to sing and fly, or, more likely, my last day, I like to think I'd still be out there, watching and reveling in their 'birdness' and wonder; that I'd still be Birding The Apocalypse. I can think of worse ways to go.

Expand full comment
Kimberly Warner's avatar

I'm glad you know those names are given with the highest honor. My favorite humans are those that can be reverent and playful in the same moment. I think your feathered poems would agree. Often while walking the woods over here in the foothills of the coastal range, Dave and I will pause and crouch and ooh and ahh and backtrack and sit and fall into a befuddlement of wonder. We rarely like to hike with others because their tendency is to go from point A to point B. To my delight, my 20 year old niece and her boyfriend "hiked" with us a month ago and it felt like we entered into a kindergarten sandbox together. More banana slugs tasting our fingertips and sniffing dirt than a stuffy old agenda. So yeh, we get you. And we certainly will join you on that last day, honoring this great earth with the wonder she deserves and always always always hoping it might just be enough to save her.

Expand full comment
David E. Perry's avatar

"We rarely like to hike with others because their tendency is to go from point A to point B."

Understood, completely.

"And we certainly will join you on that last day, honoring this great earth with the wonder she deserves and always always always hoping it might just be enough to save her."

This! Purest gold. Thank you for such a generous note.

Expand full comment
Jann Glisson's avatar

David, I hope you may be familiar with ‘The Lost Spells’ written by Robert McFarlane and illustrated by Jackie Morris which sits on the table across the room as I read your words of youthful enthusiasm. Asking McFarlane’s permission, these words leap off the page: ‘Loss is the tune of our age, hard to miss and hard to bear. Creatures, places and words disappear, day after day … so let the spells ring far and wide … let the wild world into your eyes, your voice your heart.’

I believe you have found the spell and give it voice every day. 🙏

Expand full comment
David E. Perry's avatar

Oh my, Jann. This is treasure! I love your connection and will go and find Mr. McFarlane’s ‘Spells’

Expand full comment
Steffany's avatar

Oh and that opening line/paragraph is drop-dead gorgeous. What a hook.

Expand full comment
Steffany's avatar

Once again you have woken me up in the most delightful way - this time with an added dose of wonder, awe, and amazement. You always teach me something about the world and myself. Generosity of spirit (your fifty years ago self had such marvelous intentions) coupled with a critical eye of the impact we make even with those good intentions has given me much to think about. And then of course there are the wonderful photos. You are such a gentle humble genius. Thank you for sharing.

Expand full comment
David E. Perry's avatar

Picture me grateful, Steffany ...and blushing.

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Laura B.'s avatar

I am marveling at the fact that (1) two youngsters from way back when would care so much to drive so far and go to such lengths to be in the presence of such beauty and (2) I get to be a beneficiary of such innocent fascination. Looking at these photos I also feel “the chill of early morning, still smell the sage, still hear the clicking of our cameras, the whispers and giggles of incredulity at the wondrous oddity of these early morning courtships.” Thank you for sharing, David. I think there is grace for the young man who is still, these years later, sharing his curiosity and wonder at the beauty of nature in such a way as to inspire others to take better care of the world. Maybe it all balances out in the end.

Expand full comment
David E. Perry's avatar

Your note is a gift, Laura, and I am gratefully in your debt. Thank you.

As for things all balancing out in the end... I do hope so. I almost didn't share these pics or story, cuz I felt a little sheepish. But perhaps copping to that 'decades later discomfort' can help inform others... we've grown up being taught, and at different levels, believing we were the rightful rulers of the planet, and that has made us somewhat insensitive at times to the pressures our fascination might create for shy, solitary-seeking others. It is always good to consider the wake you're leaving as you pass. Most of us can do better.

Expand full comment
Frank's avatar

Wonderous David, so glad you could share this time capsule! Don't regret good intentions on one day 50 yrs ago...just have to trust that Mother did her best to minimize any effects.

Expand full comment
David E. Perry's avatar

Thank you 🙏 Frank. Excellent, generous counsel.

Expand full comment