Bird Songs

Or, Thoughts & Observations from a Dabbling Birder…

I have been oblivious for such a long time, walking about, listening to my iPod.  I didn’t know what I had been missing.  For whatever reason, I recently found myself strolling along without my ear-buds in place and, to my pleasure, I discovered the sounds of nature – a cacophony of trills, cheeps, whistles, and calls, against the back-drop of the rushing water of Spencer Creek and the softly whooshing wind.  I was floored by how beautiful the sounds of nature can be.  And, if I listened closely enough, I could sort of tell from which direction the songs were coming from… I saw birds, and I stalked birds, and I took pictures of birds:

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“Birds are nature’s most charismatic entertainers.  Clothed in brightly coloured plumage, they are lively and interesting to watch.  Endowed with the enviable power of flight, they are the embodiment of freedom.  And, apparent to all, they perform the natural world’s finest music… Bird songs are among the finest expression of nature’s orchestra – their music lifts our spirits, celebrates each dawning day, and heralds the passing of the seasons.  Whehter we live in cities, suburbs, or country areas, birds are always there to greet us if we allow ourselves the time to watch and listen.”   (from, Common Birds and their Songs, by Lang Elliott and Marie Read, 1998)

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It seems a little ridiculous, now, that I have downloaded sounds of nature onto my iPod, including birds.   All I had to do was go outside and LISTEN!  (Sometimes, I’m a little slow on the uptake!)

Ah, the joys of Spring – a time of new beginnings and new discoveries…
Take time to Listen to the Birds!