What memories are waiting to be made and never forgotten? - love that! The surprises that a detour offers - in this case a great picture with the worm in its beak!!!
I love the posture you take for every walk. Always ready to be surprised. I think it’s almost impossible to have a day that does not contain something just waiting for our appreciation & delight!
Thanks, Ann and very much appreciated! Seeing Nature and the miraculous encounters like with this Grey Catbird makes each day a special experience and memorable.
Wonderful, Neil! The road not taken, and its gifts. Thank you for sharing with us. I wonder why the catbird wasn't eating its prize -- maybe going to take it to a fledgling?
Thanks, I was quite surprised that this bird remained so close for so long. Happy coincidence as I rarely walk this path. Their feathers are quite nice to close up like this.
Your ability to weave philosophy, attitude and outlook with the wonders of the natural world feeds my soul. Today you've reminded me that the unexpected turns always reveal something from which I can learn.
Thank you for the kind words, Kim and very much appreciated. I should almost send a thanks to the person blocking my intended path as they were picking wildflowers. I didn't want to disturb them and this detour was a nice reward!
These detours are really working out, Neil! A wonderful sijo that sets the stage for this excellent photo series. I'm not familiar with catbirds and enjoyed seeing the videos, too, including the sound effects.
Thanks, Heidi and it's funny how these detours do lead to the unexpected and seem to work out sometimes. This Grey Catbird was quite patient and I was surprised how long they posed. That mewing sound at the end of the second clip was a nice catch. That mewing sound always makes me smile.
What lovely photos! Catbirds are such charming birds. They always seem so curious and relatively unafraid of humans. I only realized recently that in addition to their mewing sound they're also mimics. I thought one was a mockingbird, but it didn't sound quite right, it was slower and had a more limited range. The Merlin app helped me to identify the singer as a catbird.
Thanks, Melanie and this was a most fortunate encounter! They are quite charming and I like hearing their variety of calls and songs. The mowing is one of my favourites. That Merlin app is a very helpful tool!
Thanks and much appreciated! I was really fortunate to have this bird practically pose for those photos. They seems pride proud of catching breakfast. :)
Nice post Neil! On the wing flapping, I read somewhere earlier this year that this may be a way for mates to signal to each other about changing shifts at feeding time. Especially when there is not enough room for both parents to be in the nest at the same time. Seems like it was some link in a 1440 post. But it may have been somewhere else.
Thanks for that tip, Sandy and great to know about the wing flapping! The last 1-2 seconds of the second video, you can hear that mewing call from the hedges. This catbird flew down into those hedges. Maybe they had fledglings nearby. :)
Just looked at the video again and yes he does seem to be reacting to the sound. Gee I wonder if we humans could start reading bird semaphore language? I'm reading... 'Yes dear, I've got the bacon right here!!! Step aside so I can deliver!!!' ... or something like that.
Thanks Neil! Nice bird, nice detour. Serendipitous post, as I am taking a bit of a detour myself today. The repetitive grind of ritual prayer that gets me nowhere lately -- I left off of this path today, and am exploring the freedom, with a little trepidation.
Carbide must have a nest and the caterpillar it caught will be served to hungry waiting mouths.
Agreed, Richard. In that second video clip, you can hear the signature 'mewing' cat sound. I think they had a nest somewhere in the hedges nearby.
I heard that tiny mew, too!
Nice catch! I think there were fledglings in those bushes.
Whoops. Catbird not carbide. But humorous play of word .
The colour checks out. ;)
What memories are waiting to be made and never forgotten? - love that! The surprises that a detour offers - in this case a great picture with the worm in its beak!!!
Thanks, Rajani! That detour led me to a most pleasant surprise in meeting this bird! They seemed quite pleased with capturing breakfast. :)
Beautiful shots of the catbird, Neil. Thank you for sharing
Thanks, James. I see Grey Catbirds fairly often have not had many opportunities to see them up close like this for several minutes.
Catbird memories underway here too. Sitting on the porch in early morning as they sing and mew in the elderberry nearby. Thanks for sharing.
That's great that you're having them so nearby in the morning, Leah. I like their calls and songs and the mewing - such a variety!
Really. They are enthusiastic in their improvisations.
Agreed. That mewing gets me everytime and always makes me smile.
I love the posture you take for every walk. Always ready to be surprised. I think it’s almost impossible to have a day that does not contain something just waiting for our appreciation & delight!
Thanks, Ann and very much appreciated! Seeing Nature and the miraculous encounters like with this Grey Catbird makes each day a special experience and memorable.
Very pleasant indeed!! (Although maybe not for the tasty treat for that pretty bird.) Lovely shots from your detour.
Thanks and very much appreciated! This was a nice surprise resulting from an unplanned detour!
Wonderful, Neil! The road not taken, and its gifts. Thank you for sharing with us. I wonder why the catbird wasn't eating its prize -- maybe going to take it to a fledgling?
Thanks, Jeanne! I think you're right. The way they flapped their feathers like this seemed like a sort of display.
Yes, I noticed that too -- the flapping. So fascinating to watch bird behavior, and speculate what they're up to.
Lovely close-up photos, I love seeing the feather patterns on the gray.
Thanks, I was quite surprised that this bird remained so close for so long. Happy coincidence as I rarely walk this path. Their feathers are quite nice to close up like this.
Just incredible!
Thanks, Sarah and this was a most unexpected reward. I was also surprised this bird remained so close for several minutes. :)
Your ability to weave philosophy, attitude and outlook with the wonders of the natural world feeds my soul. Today you've reminded me that the unexpected turns always reveal something from which I can learn.
Thank you for the kind words, Kim and very much appreciated. I should almost send a thanks to the person blocking my intended path as they were picking wildflowers. I didn't want to disturb them and this detour was a nice reward!
These detours are really working out, Neil! A wonderful sijo that sets the stage for this excellent photo series. I'm not familiar with catbirds and enjoyed seeing the videos, too, including the sound effects.
Thanks, Heidi and it's funny how these detours do lead to the unexpected and seem to work out sometimes. This Grey Catbird was quite patient and I was surprised how long they posed. That mewing sound at the end of the second clip was a nice catch. That mewing sound always makes me smile.
The mewing is definitely catlike! I listened to the video clip twice just so I could catch it. A true mimic in nature!
It's an uncanny sound to hear while hiking in the woods!
What lovely photos! Catbirds are such charming birds. They always seem so curious and relatively unafraid of humans. I only realized recently that in addition to their mewing sound they're also mimics. I thought one was a mockingbird, but it didn't sound quite right, it was slower and had a more limited range. The Merlin app helped me to identify the singer as a catbird.
Thanks, Melanie and this was a most fortunate encounter! They are quite charming and I like hearing their variety of calls and songs. The mowing is one of my favourites. That Merlin app is a very helpful tool!
This sijo is very timely for me!
Thank, Emma and I'm glad the sijo is timely! This bird and the situation inspired this sijo. :)
Amazing pictures! I can't believe the detail and texture of his breast feathers! Just so beautiful ❤️
Thanks and much appreciated! I was really fortunate to have this bird practically pose for those photos. They seems pride proud of catching breakfast. :)
Nice post Neil! On the wing flapping, I read somewhere earlier this year that this may be a way for mates to signal to each other about changing shifts at feeding time. Especially when there is not enough room for both parents to be in the nest at the same time. Seems like it was some link in a 1440 post. But it may have been somewhere else.
Thanks for that tip, Sandy and great to know about the wing flapping! The last 1-2 seconds of the second video, you can hear that mewing call from the hedges. This catbird flew down into those hedges. Maybe they had fledglings nearby. :)
Just looked at the video again and yes he does seem to be reacting to the sound. Gee I wonder if we humans could start reading bird semaphore language? I'm reading... 'Yes dear, I've got the bacon right here!!! Step aside so I can deliver!!!' ... or something like that.
Thanks Neil! Nice bird, nice detour. Serendipitous post, as I am taking a bit of a detour myself today. The repetitive grind of ritual prayer that gets me nowhere lately -- I left off of this path today, and am exploring the freedom, with a little trepidation.
Thanks, Marc and I am glad you connected with this post. May you newfound path lead to interesting experiences!