Vermont made an excellent choice in 1941, the Hermit Thrush was chosen as our official state bird. Unbeknownst to me until recently, it became my favorite bird a number of years ago. For me, the fluted melodies of their song trickles through me like ice water, always makes me stand still and listen with a big smile. All summer long I’ve had the pleasure of ‘conversing’ with a certain Hermit Thrush,every day on my hike. I have absolutely no talent when it comes to whistling, actually the worst whistler ever, nevertheless, I repeat the melody and I am rewarded with a wonderful little rambling that happens only when I whistle my tune. Usually I am singing to a tree, the Thrush stays hidden in the branches, but must be nesting nearby. Sometimes we are on a first name basis, Catharus.
My husband laughs at me, but I know the Thrush doesn’t mind that I have a lousy tune.
I’m fairly certain that by naming it “Hermit Thrush Lookout”, you will be rewarded with plenty of magic for your writing shed.
The Phainopepla and the
Pyrrhuloxia are new to me. Thank you for the introductions.
P.S. Check your last post, I left a link for you , an interview with Amy Tan.
I love it! Way to go, Vermont--especially when so many states choose Cardinals... The hermit thrushes are mostly silent here in winter, but I love to hear them in summer when I head north for a bit of fly fishing. Thanks so much for reading!
Congratulation on your birding totals! Wow! That is impressive! So wonderful that you see so many in The Big Yard. Thank you for sharing your terrific pics. Love learning about so many that are new to me. I have to agree with Lor below about listening to a Hermit Thrush song! It is among my favorite things! Will look forward to more about the writing shed. May the Hermit Thrush grant you a bit of it's magic! :-)
Thanks Sandy--I don't always pay much attention to these numbers--until eBird sends me an email each year. Glad you are seeing something new! More magic on the way!
Beautiful photos, as usual. My in-laws (avid birders) bought the Hoover cabin on Gunflint Lake on the Canadian border many years ago. I visited many times, it was a magical place.
Dear Birding Bestie :), I certainly like your drive and ambition to build your magical writing shed. I'm sure we must have walked through it but I don't believe you mentioned it. So cool to see the shed developing and thank goodness for helpful family! Mr. Magnificent still showing up, wow. always impressive birds and their photos. I always talk about the HETH to my banders as being a favorite for handling (and listening to sing in the Sierra Nevadas). They are easy to extract from the nets, gentle in hand and easy to age in the field, when the wing is visible. Nice work on your eBird stats!
We did! We walked past the spot on the hillside as we were heading toward the west end of the property. Come visit in March when we have to haul the timbers up the hillside!
Call me envious! Birds are amazing. Beautiful. I'm grateful every day for the Northern Flickers, Stellars and Scrub Jays that visit the suet feeder hanging just outside my living room window. I'm frequently surprised by pictures you post of birds I've never even heard of. Thanks, as always, for sharing!
This is so impressive - the birds and the building! I really envy you for the writing can to be. I have always wanted something like that. And the thrush is gorgeous! Here in Jamaica we have the Northern Waterthrush and the Louisiana Waterthrush (migratory) in the winter months…
Thank you, Emma! We have both of those here in the winter months too--not in the yard but nearby at the San Pedro River. I have photos! I envy you for your Jamaica winters! And your birds!
This time of year’s the best - not too hot (yet) nd lovely calm days. We have had very little rain so far this year though! I have to fill up the bird baths twice a day!
Vermont made an excellent choice in 1941, the Hermit Thrush was chosen as our official state bird. Unbeknownst to me until recently, it became my favorite bird a number of years ago. For me, the fluted melodies of their song trickles through me like ice water, always makes me stand still and listen with a big smile. All summer long I’ve had the pleasure of ‘conversing’ with a certain Hermit Thrush,every day on my hike. I have absolutely no talent when it comes to whistling, actually the worst whistler ever, nevertheless, I repeat the melody and I am rewarded with a wonderful little rambling that happens only when I whistle my tune. Usually I am singing to a tree, the Thrush stays hidden in the branches, but must be nesting nearby. Sometimes we are on a first name basis, Catharus.
My husband laughs at me, but I know the Thrush doesn’t mind that I have a lousy tune.
I’m fairly certain that by naming it “Hermit Thrush Lookout”, you will be rewarded with plenty of magic for your writing shed.
The Phainopepla and the
Pyrrhuloxia are new to me. Thank you for the introductions.
P.S. Check your last post, I left a link for you , an interview with Amy Tan.
I love it! Way to go, Vermont--especially when so many states choose Cardinals... The hermit thrushes are mostly silent here in winter, but I love to hear them in summer when I head north for a bit of fly fishing. Thanks so much for reading!
Congratulation on your birding totals! Wow! That is impressive! So wonderful that you see so many in The Big Yard. Thank you for sharing your terrific pics. Love learning about so many that are new to me. I have to agree with Lor below about listening to a Hermit Thrush song! It is among my favorite things! Will look forward to more about the writing shed. May the Hermit Thrush grant you a bit of it's magic! :-)
Thanks Sandy--I don't always pay much attention to these numbers--until eBird sends me an email each year. Glad you are seeing something new! More magic on the way!
Beautiful photos, as usual. My in-laws (avid birders) bought the Hoover cabin on Gunflint Lake on the Canadian border many years ago. I visited many times, it was a magical place.
Thanks Michael...here's to magical places in our lives...we need them.
Dear Birding Bestie :), I certainly like your drive and ambition to build your magical writing shed. I'm sure we must have walked through it but I don't believe you mentioned it. So cool to see the shed developing and thank goodness for helpful family! Mr. Magnificent still showing up, wow. always impressive birds and their photos. I always talk about the HETH to my banders as being a favorite for handling (and listening to sing in the Sierra Nevadas). They are easy to extract from the nets, gentle in hand and easy to age in the field, when the wing is visible. Nice work on your eBird stats!
We did! We walked past the spot on the hillside as we were heading toward the west end of the property. Come visit in March when we have to haul the timbers up the hillside!
Call me envious! Birds are amazing. Beautiful. I'm grateful every day for the Northern Flickers, Stellars and Scrub Jays that visit the suet feeder hanging just outside my living room window. I'm frequently surprised by pictures you post of birds I've never even heard of. Thanks, as always, for sharing!
Thanks for this, Michael! I know about the magic! And it's right outside our windows...
This is so impressive - the birds and the building! I really envy you for the writing can to be. I have always wanted something like that. And the thrush is gorgeous! Here in Jamaica we have the Northern Waterthrush and the Louisiana Waterthrush (migratory) in the winter months…
Thank you, Emma! We have both of those here in the winter months too--not in the yard but nearby at the San Pedro River. I have photos! I envy you for your Jamaica winters! And your birds!
This time of year’s the best - not too hot (yet) nd lovely calm days. We have had very little rain so far this year though! I have to fill up the bird baths twice a day!
Sounds lovely--except for the lack of rain, which is concerning us too. The Wife says she'd like to visit Jamaica--me too!
Awesome! I need to contribute more photos. I rarely remember to do that unless it’s a rarity and I have to. I love your writing cottage!!