These elusive troubadours have finally moved beyond their one-note, traveling vocalizations in my neck of the woods and are now reminding us how mystifyingly they can sing.
Such a beautiful song. We don’t get Swainson’s Thrush in the UK, I’m grateful to have heard it’s wonderful melody here. We have song thrush and they are easy to spot, they perch high up in the open, on telegraph poles or st the top of trees and I love to listen to them sing 🎶
You are the second person to mention your world's Song Thrush, Emily and now my curiosity is aroused.
I suppose part of the mystery of Swainson's Thrushes is that they are so bloody difficult to observe, but there are definitely days when I'd gladly accept the inherent trait of perching "... high up in the open, on telegraph poles or at the top of trees..." as you describe.
I'm most grateful for your addition to this little gathering.
Swainson’s Thrush , what a gorgeous song. Though I am partial to my own state bird, the Hermit Thrush ( who seems to know how to play the flute while whistling a tune ). I think I’ll take a cue from my favorite poet , Robert Frost and say;
Swainson’s Thrush “…is also great and would suffice”.
“Surely this is what fairy dust must sound like as it catches an uptwirling breeze.”
I knew there were words out there somewhere to tell me what I’m thinking.
Thank you David for introducing me to the Swainson's Thrush, and its beautiful song. We aren't graced with their presence in New Zealand, but we do have the Song Thrush, which was introduced from England in 1867. They are my favorite bird, and I have a pair that visit my garden every day. The blackbird family that also call my garden their home, become very territorial when they catch the thrushes on what they think is their patch of turf.
Dear JJ. Please whisper greetings to your Song Thrushes from an admirer, far, far away. I’m so very pleased to add this bit of knowledge to our potluck table. Thank you.
My favorite birdsong ever. I’m forever haunted by their lilting, enchanting vocalizations. To me, they are like echos of the primordial hum, whatever that might be… but I think it sounded like a hermit thrush. ❤️
Do you know about composer, Amy Beach's Hermit Thrush at Morn, Op.92, and Hermit Thrush at Eve pieces, composed using the same cadence of notes as the actual bird song... She was an amazing American, classical composer that too few have ever heard of.
Right there with you on the haunted front, my friend.
Haha. I just did a deep dive into the Hermit Thrush this past month as I was writing my next essay. I ended up scratching the metaphor for a different one so the research will have to be used elsewhere, but yes! I stumbled upon Amy Beach's exquisite composition! So fun to share this love with you.
So lovely to spend a few minutes being serenaded by his song and the bonus of visuals from your photographs. I appreciate your devotion and dedication to communing with nature, taking photographs to share and adding your story. I was just writing to someone and used a reference about Paul Harvey; only to be surprised they didn't know who Paul Harvey was. My radio stories have been replaced by the computer and you are my present day Paul Harvey.
Like you, Annelle, I was a big Paul Harvey fan during adolescence and early adulthood. Haven't thought of him in years, but your kind words are enough to make me blush, still. Lordy could that man weave a tale. I'm far more of a bumbler, but I love the thought that someone out there is getting a bit of a story 'fix' from my bumblings. Thank you for that generous smile, my friend.
Beautiful song. I have at least one, perhaps more. As you mentioned, they are hard to pinpoint, especially in dense foliage. I have the same problem with other birds that I know are out there.
Your posts encourage me to be more aware. I am really trying harder to see and hear the wonders around me. One day a week or so ago I noticed and videoed 3 in a row bumble bees making ground nests, moving wood chips and soil. I was stunned that I could clearly hear one of the bees breaking roots. I am blessed to be able to see and experience these things in my own backyard. I was, however, distressed that one of the beautiful Flicker parents was taken out. I'm assuming it was a barred owl because the remains were in the woods, but it could have been a Cooper's.
For the longest time I wondered what beak that magical spiraling call was bursting forth from. I have tried many times to spot the elusive singer, and attempted to imitate it to birder friends, but never figured it out until I finally got it, just last week. (Thanks Merlin!) And now here is this lovely tribute to my new friend! Thank you.
Sweet! I close my eyes and his song spirits me into memories of forest wanders... Philly and me feel the same---we have often stopped on a wooded trail to be extra silent, just to let their song float in circles high above us...never seeing more than a flit of motion...
What a gift to see him right there! Love your pics, and learning more of their behaviors; loved listening to that sweet "fairy dust" song---makes me feel dreamy and uplifted...
Ah, this song is at the top of my favorite hits list! My son in law has been teaching me whose song is whose since I moved into the mountains, and whenever I hear the Swainson’s thrush for the first time in the spring I get filled with a big breath of excitement like a little girl who just heard the ice cream man coming and text him “they’re back!” How wonderful for you that you actually got to see one!
Easily my favorite birdsong! Like a bridge between dimensions ✨
Wow. A perfect simile, Emma.
Thank you.
Such a beautiful song. We don’t get Swainson’s Thrush in the UK, I’m grateful to have heard it’s wonderful melody here. We have song thrush and they are easy to spot, they perch high up in the open, on telegraph poles or st the top of trees and I love to listen to them sing 🎶
You are the second person to mention your world's Song Thrush, Emily and now my curiosity is aroused.
I suppose part of the mystery of Swainson's Thrushes is that they are so bloody difficult to observe, but there are definitely days when I'd gladly accept the inherent trait of perching "... high up in the open, on telegraph poles or at the top of trees..." as you describe.
I'm most grateful for your addition to this little gathering.
It’s lovely being here David 💛
I love these posts with the audio! I hear that bird and now I know which bird it is.
This is me smiling. Glad they find a responsive chord.
Swainson’s Thrush , what a gorgeous song. Though I am partial to my own state bird, the Hermit Thrush ( who seems to know how to play the flute while whistling a tune ). I think I’ll take a cue from my favorite poet , Robert Frost and say;
Swainson’s Thrush “…is also great and would suffice”.
“Surely this is what fairy dust must sound like as it catches an uptwirling breeze.”
I knew there were words out there somewhere to tell me what I’m thinking.
You, dear Lor continue to delight. This is simply perfection. Thank you.
Thank you David for introducing me to the Swainson's Thrush, and its beautiful song. We aren't graced with their presence in New Zealand, but we do have the Song Thrush, which was introduced from England in 1867. They are my favorite bird, and I have a pair that visit my garden every day. The blackbird family that also call my garden their home, become very territorial when they catch the thrushes on what they think is their patch of turf.
Dear JJ. Please whisper greetings to your Song Thrushes from an admirer, far, far away. I’m so very pleased to add this bit of knowledge to our potluck table. Thank you.
Thank you SO much for this gift, David.
You are most welcome.🙏
Another colourful gem of your ‘communion with nature’. Thank you David! 😎
You my friend are most welcome.
My favorite birdsong ever. I’m forever haunted by their lilting, enchanting vocalizations. To me, they are like echos of the primordial hum, whatever that might be… but I think it sounded like a hermit thrush. ❤️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrJUYpStrAs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePotHPt8Tqg
Do you know about composer, Amy Beach's Hermit Thrush at Morn, Op.92, and Hermit Thrush at Eve pieces, composed using the same cadence of notes as the actual bird song... She was an amazing American, classical composer that too few have ever heard of.
Right there with you on the haunted front, my friend.
May your day be kind.
Haha. I just did a deep dive into the Hermit Thrush this past month as I was writing my next essay. I ended up scratching the metaphor for a different one so the research will have to be used elsewhere, but yes! I stumbled upon Amy Beach's exquisite composition! So fun to share this love with you.
So lovely to spend a few minutes being serenaded by his song and the bonus of visuals from your photographs. I appreciate your devotion and dedication to communing with nature, taking photographs to share and adding your story. I was just writing to someone and used a reference about Paul Harvey; only to be surprised they didn't know who Paul Harvey was. My radio stories have been replaced by the computer and you are my present day Paul Harvey.
"and now you know the rest of the story..."
Like you, Annelle, I was a big Paul Harvey fan during adolescence and early adulthood. Haven't thought of him in years, but your kind words are enough to make me blush, still. Lordy could that man weave a tale. I'm far more of a bumbler, but I love the thought that someone out there is getting a bit of a story 'fix' from my bumblings. Thank you for that generous smile, my friend.
Beautiful song. I have at least one, perhaps more. As you mentioned, they are hard to pinpoint, especially in dense foliage. I have the same problem with other birds that I know are out there.
They are easily among the trickiest. But no one else sounds like them, so there's that...
Thanks for making time to leave a note, Ann.
Your posts encourage me to be more aware. I am really trying harder to see and hear the wonders around me. One day a week or so ago I noticed and videoed 3 in a row bumble bees making ground nests, moving wood chips and soil. I was stunned that I could clearly hear one of the bees breaking roots. I am blessed to be able to see and experience these things in my own backyard. I was, however, distressed that one of the beautiful Flicker parents was taken out. I'm assuming it was a barred owl because the remains were in the woods, but it could have been a Cooper's.
Blessings upon you and upon your ever more attuned 'noticer,' my friend.
For the longest time I wondered what beak that magical spiraling call was bursting forth from. I have tried many times to spot the elusive singer, and attempted to imitate it to birder friends, but never figured it out until I finally got it, just last week. (Thanks Merlin!) And now here is this lovely tribute to my new friend! Thank you.
I believe this is known as a win-win situation, Andrea. So very happy that we're all here celebrating together. And thanks for the note.
Magical! What a gift to be able to listen to a beautiful bird song in a quiet place undisturbed by road noise, airplanes, train whistles and sirens.
Sweet! I close my eyes and his song spirits me into memories of forest wanders... Philly and me feel the same---we have often stopped on a wooded trail to be extra silent, just to let their song float in circles high above us...never seeing more than a flit of motion...
What a gift to see him right there! Love your pics, and learning more of their behaviors; loved listening to that sweet "fairy dust" song---makes me feel dreamy and uplifted...
You add immensely to this little story, my friend. I thank you for making time and sharing an encounter of your own. My best to Philly!
Ah, divine recording. Also photos. This is a very beautiful post, which I enjoyed a lot.
I'm so pleased, Diane. Thank you for making time to leave such a kind note.
Ah, this song is at the top of my favorite hits list! My son in law has been teaching me whose song is whose since I moved into the mountains, and whenever I hear the Swainson’s thrush for the first time in the spring I get filled with a big breath of excitement like a little girl who just heard the ice cream man coming and text him “they’re back!” How wonderful for you that you actually got to see one!
" I get filled with a big breath of excitement like a little girl who just heard the ice cream man coming and text him “they’re back!”"
I cannot properly express how much I love this, Cami! Thank you. And a tip of the hat to your son-in-law, who sounds like a prince.
Ah, yes indeed.
I meant to say "annually annointed"....