We have a little ovenbird who’s been visiting our back yard. Cocky little thing. Will forage for moments on end but as soon as I get my camera? He disappears. That photo of the kestrel is a work of art.
Haven't seen an ovenbird in decades. We don't seem to have them out here. Love imagining your plight, Laura. It really does feel sometimes like they know when you raise your camera, doesn't it. Might just be me, but it feels like the same phenomenon when I turn on my Merlin app to try to get a bit of help identifying a bird song. They just stop, cold. No more singing. How do they know? Thank you for such encouragement for the photo of the Kestrel. I am pleased with it. It feels like a suitable portrait.
I've adopted a "blend in" approach in the woods. So long as I move purposefully, and non-threateningly, the squirrels go about their business. I'll sit calmly and watch on occasion. It's the hawks that get them all stirred up, not me!
Beautiful post and story. Having spent the good part of a day this week, tracking a gopher through my garden meadow of clumping grasses, digging, collapsing and flooding holes, I have a confession. My favorite part was the shared delight that your father would have at one less gopher! Your photography and prose are appreciated gifts to this reader.
Good morning, Leslie. And thank you. Your confession gave way to a giggle here, picturing your efforts to track that gopher and having a sense of all that entails. My mammalogist father thought gophers were quite wonderful creatures, just not in his lawn. I’m so pleased to know that this one found a responding chord within you.
Beautiful David. I have missed your missives and glad for their return and to see the magic you capture with your camera and the intrigue you spin with your words
What a joy & a delight---your very fine portrait of Mr. Kestral, that little warrior-hunter, and nod to your dad. Loved your meet-up with the Grasshopper Sparrow and all your info & insights...super-cool! I could sense his personality in each pic.
You know, 'hanging around' with you here opens my eyes & inspires me in all the best ways---found myself laughing out loud at how silly we can be, yeah... and then so happy to learn a new bird, more about the Kestral's excellent skills...and to be reminded just how wise the wild ones are...
The picture of the Kestral is stunning , though it looks like a painting, am I correct in thinking it is your masterful ability to work your magic on a photograph? Good advice on giving up being sneaky. I always feel like I’m being watched, and the bird or animal is thinking, ’stupid human…’ On a sad note, I’m feeling melancholy, looking at the photographs of the Grasshopper Sparrow. A small part of the larger picture of our daily hike in the spring. Here in VT, the Grasshopper Sparrows, Eastern Meadow Larks, and Bobolinks,all share the endless meadows, filled with spring wild flowers. As you know, each build their nests in the grass.While the Kestrals sit on the lines above watching. A gorgeous scene. The Bobolinks balance on grass blades near their nests, G. Sparrows hide in the low bushes close to their own, and Meadow Larks ,swooping and diving near by. A delightful symphony of bird song,nest building, laying eggs and taking care of newborn babes. Then the heartbreak.They are the same fields that grow the hay for the farmers . Field mowing with large tractor blades, either immediately kill, or expose what ever is left alive to predators. Literally a graveyard to mourn over. One morning , the whole perfect scene , filled with life and beauty, the next day the fields are being mowed.There is a project,(The Bobolink Project ) that helps protect the birds and the farms. They request the farmers wait until nesting season is over to mow, and the program pays them for monetary losses, but not all apply. One of the main reasons the grassland birds are disappearing in the northeast. Sorry for the lengthy comment. I couldn’t help but think of them, seeing the Kestral and the G. Sparrow. Wondering if your area has the same problem.
Good one. David. Birds of prey miss nothing. I had a Kestrel family that frequented my Wasatch Foothills backyard in Utah. They could find and capture voles tunneling through my lawn under a foot of snow.
I feel the same. I don't get out as much, but my garden is brimming over with all kinds of birds. I am grateful for the presence of all including the birds of prey.
Right there with ya' pal. It's always a good thing to be respectful and mindful. I swear birds and critters understand on some level when you offer them respect.
Gripping...perhaps a cow would be a tad harder...;-) "When someone sees you through the mire of it all...”
Quote of the morning, thus far: "...perhaps a cow would be a tad harder"
I thank you.
We have a little ovenbird who’s been visiting our back yard. Cocky little thing. Will forage for moments on end but as soon as I get my camera? He disappears. That photo of the kestrel is a work of art.
Haven't seen an ovenbird in decades. We don't seem to have them out here. Love imagining your plight, Laura. It really does feel sometimes like they know when you raise your camera, doesn't it. Might just be me, but it feels like the same phenomenon when I turn on my Merlin app to try to get a bit of help identifying a bird song. They just stop, cold. No more singing. How do they know? Thank you for such encouragement for the photo of the Kestrel. I am pleased with it. It feels like a suitable portrait.
I've adopted a "blend in" approach in the woods. So long as I move purposefully, and non-threateningly, the squirrels go about their business. I'll sit calmly and watch on occasion. It's the hawks that get them all stirred up, not me!
A thoughtful, subtle approach...
Loved loved loved this
Thank you for making time to let a fella know, Kathleen. Got me smiling.
Beautiful post and story. Having spent the good part of a day this week, tracking a gopher through my garden meadow of clumping grasses, digging, collapsing and flooding holes, I have a confession. My favorite part was the shared delight that your father would have at one less gopher! Your photography and prose are appreciated gifts to this reader.
Good morning, Leslie. And thank you. Your confession gave way to a giggle here, picturing your efforts to track that gopher and having a sense of all that entails. My mammalogist father thought gophers were quite wonderful creatures, just not in his lawn. I’m so pleased to know that this one found a responding chord within you.
This was riveting. The photos are sublime. You’re a great storyteller. 💚
🙏 You are a generous soul. Thank you, Julie.
Wise words, and beautiful photography.
🙏
Beautiful David. I have missed your missives and glad for their return and to see the magic you capture with your camera and the intrigue you spin with your words
You've got me smiling, Emily. Pleased to share magic and spin a bit of intrigue with such generous appreciative souls as your own. More to come...
What a joy & a delight---your very fine portrait of Mr. Kestral, that little warrior-hunter, and nod to your dad. Loved your meet-up with the Grasshopper Sparrow and all your info & insights...super-cool! I could sense his personality in each pic.
You know, 'hanging around' with you here opens my eyes & inspires me in all the best ways---found myself laughing out loud at how silly we can be, yeah... and then so happy to learn a new bird, more about the Kestral's excellent skills...and to be reminded just how wise the wild ones are...
I love your notion of 'hanging around' with me here, Toni... and am simply delighted to bring a bit of inspiration and a smile.
"and to be reminded just how wise the wild ones are..."
There's your walk off home run, right there. I thank you.
wow! what an eventful trek that was for you!
The picture of the Kestral is stunning , though it looks like a painting, am I correct in thinking it is your masterful ability to work your magic on a photograph? Good advice on giving up being sneaky. I always feel like I’m being watched, and the bird or animal is thinking, ’stupid human…’ On a sad note, I’m feeling melancholy, looking at the photographs of the Grasshopper Sparrow. A small part of the larger picture of our daily hike in the spring. Here in VT, the Grasshopper Sparrows, Eastern Meadow Larks, and Bobolinks,all share the endless meadows, filled with spring wild flowers. As you know, each build their nests in the grass.While the Kestrals sit on the lines above watching. A gorgeous scene. The Bobolinks balance on grass blades near their nests, G. Sparrows hide in the low bushes close to their own, and Meadow Larks ,swooping and diving near by. A delightful symphony of bird song,nest building, laying eggs and taking care of newborn babes. Then the heartbreak.They are the same fields that grow the hay for the farmers . Field mowing with large tractor blades, either immediately kill, or expose what ever is left alive to predators. Literally a graveyard to mourn over. One morning , the whole perfect scene , filled with life and beauty, the next day the fields are being mowed.There is a project,(The Bobolink Project ) that helps protect the birds and the farms. They request the farmers wait until nesting season is over to mow, and the program pays them for monetary losses, but not all apply. One of the main reasons the grassland birds are disappearing in the northeast. Sorry for the lengthy comment. I couldn’t help but think of them, seeing the Kestral and the G. Sparrow. Wondering if your area has the same problem.
So much gold in here, Lor. So much.
Yes, lots of hay grown out here, alfalfa, Timothy...
I've driven hay swathers and uncovered those nests in my youth. Broke my heart.
You need not apologize for adding depth and thoughtful commentary. I'm most grateful.
I'm gonna read up on the Bobolink Project.
And yes, a bit of photographic painting to move the image into a slightly more dreamlike state.
This read made me smile from start to finish. Thanks David.😊
You are most welcome, Jo. Thanks for the encouraging words.
Very true and a gorgeous set of photos. Thanks
I'm most grateful, Richard. Thank you.
Good one. David. Birds of prey miss nothing. I had a Kestrel family that frequented my Wasatch Foothills backyard in Utah. They could find and capture voles tunneling through my lawn under a foot of snow.
I think I will never cease to be amazed, or less than grateful to find myself in their company. Thank you, Ann.
I feel the same. I don't get out as much, but my garden is brimming over with all kinds of birds. I am grateful for the presence of all including the birds of prey.
A cow, huh😂….. Sage advice, Brother
Well you know me... always full of it.
Love you Sis!
I do my best (since I’m walking daily) to keep my steps quiet and always mindful. 💕
Right there with ya' pal. It's always a good thing to be respectful and mindful. I swear birds and critters understand on some level when you offer them respect.
On my daily walks I have a prodigious amount of birds, bugs and critters that seem to have no issue with my quiet passing and loving admiration.
You are a healer.
Always have been. You remember.
Always.