Song Sparrows: "We are back!"
Can we find peace and joy in their songs without knowing the words?
Announcing their return to the lands of Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Better days to come filled with cheerful songs of warm tomorrows.
Can we find peace and joy in their songs without knowing the words?
I took these photos March 23, 2025. The Song Sparrows have returned here in Ottawa. This sparrow came over to check on my parking skills.
I started my hike and a few minutes later saw another Song Sparrow searching for food in the grass.
I continued my hike and a bird flew across the path in front of me and into some trees behind this sumac. Are you able to see the sparrow in the photo below?
The Song Sparrows were really active that day. Some will remain in the park until Autumn and then migrate back south. Others are here on a layover and will fly onto other parts of Ontario and Quebec. I am looking forward to seeing the Song Sparrows in the coming weeks and months.
has a recent post that captures the Song Sparrow’s signature call:
Also, a poetic hat-tip to
and for introducing me to abecedarian form of poetry. I used this in today’s sijo. If you notice the first line begins with A, second line with B, and final line with C.Check out the poem “Fiddlehead” by Ann Collins:
English - Korean:
Song Sparrow = 노래참새 / norae chamsae
Song = 노래 / norae
Sparrow = 참새 / chamsae
Beautiful!
"Can we find peace and joy in their songs without knowing the words?" This hits hard. I think we must, and if we can't, we have to relearn how to do it - or be forever trapped in a disenchanted, dissociated life.
Good morning Neil. Indeed we can. The little sparrows are back here in Oregon as well, along with the juncos, Towhees, and other nesting birds that return to our backyard year after year. The bumblebees are out again and the ants are reappearing. All welcome sights to this old man's eyes and heart. The heart has eyes, you know or rather is it that eyes and heart are the same?