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?
Good morning Michael and agreed. Good to hear the sparrows and juncos and others have returned to Oregon. Their presence and songs bring back a liveliness. I too believe their songs can be understood (known?) without lyrics and words. Perhaps their songs are always playing and the sparrow is simply the winged messenger bringing the message to our hearts.
Neil, you've shown us something so magical hiding right here in plain sight. The photos are gorgeous--oh those tiny, intricate feathers around the eye! Also, I think the beauty of a good abecedarian poem is when the reader doesn't even realize you've done it--which I didn't!
"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.
Always love to hear the song sparrows, a bird that sings on the coldest days. Brings us humans so much joy. Thank you, Neil, for the report and photos.
Neil, this is my first read of the day and such a lovely start to my day. I am a big fan of the song sparrows, they tend to make everything feel bright and cheery. Beautiful photos and Sijo today. Thank you.
Wonderful post, Neil. I really like the warmth and optimism here with the return of the Song Sparrows. The abecedarian structure works so well, a kind of acrostic. Luvluvluv it.:)
Thanks, Heidi. I like that cheery warmth in their song especially. I'm going to play with this poetry form a little bit and incorporate into my sijo and see where it goes. :)
Thanks, Thomas. I was really fortunate that these Sparrows were patient for a few moments so I could capture a few images. I'm glad they've returned and looking forward to seeing and hearing more of them.
I'm wondering if these are the sparrows we find in ohio in such numbers. One of the few birds in cleveland i can identify as having a large population here. Gulls ( by the lake) crows Robins bluebirds and cardinals are very commonly seen.
What an adorable bird! And their songs make me so happy. Any bird song. I just wish that I knew what they were saying sometimes. Although, maybe it’s a good thing too. They might be cursing us each time we pass them ;)
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?
Good morning Michael and agreed. Good to hear the sparrows and juncos and others have returned to Oregon. Their presence and songs bring back a liveliness. I too believe their songs can be understood (known?) without lyrics and words. Perhaps their songs are always playing and the sparrow is simply the winged messenger bringing the message to our hearts.
🙏
Neil, you've shown us something so magical hiding right here in plain sight. The photos are gorgeous--oh those tiny, intricate feathers around the eye! Also, I think the beauty of a good abecedarian poem is when the reader doesn't even realize you've done it--which I didn't!
It works so well here :-) This is pure delight.
Thanks, Ann and very much appreciated. I'm going to play around with this form and enjoyed using it to write this sijo!
Aw that's great--so fun! Can't wait to read whatever comes of your exploration.
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.
Thanks, Ramona! That is a great point about relearning to know the songs or being trapped in disenchantment and disassociation.
Great post Neil. Song Sparrows are reliable sources of joy on every stage of an excursion—from parking to hiking
Thanks, James. Agreed on the Song Sparrows - they always seem so cheery and it is great to have them back here from migration.
the sweetest, toughest little birds!
Agreed, Peter! I can only imagine the tales they tell if I could ask and understand their songs!
I love these little guys💛
Same here, Brian - so full of life.
What an adorable little bird!!
Agreed, Melissa! They're such lively little birds and such a nice song!
Always love to hear the song sparrows, a bird that sings on the coldest days. Brings us humans so much joy. Thank you, Neil, for the report and photos.
Same here, Perry and I too love to hear their song. Are they back in the Toronto area too?
They are here all winter and visit my front yard. I feed them daily. Beautiful birds.
Ah, Song Sparrow song,
be at parking, park, hike, like!
Calls, chirps, spring’s sweet hope.
I always enjoy your haiku comments, Marisol!
Neil, this is my first read of the day and such a lovely start to my day. I am a big fan of the song sparrows, they tend to make everything feel bright and cheery. Beautiful photos and Sijo today. Thank you.
Thank you, Pamela and much appreciated. They do help make the day more cheery with their songs as well
I enjoyed this work, your creativity, Neil.
Thank you, Gary and very much appreciated.
Often, words just get in the way...funny how we writers use so many of them!
Agreed, Emma. I'm trying to pare down my words to simplify. A work in progress though!
Wonderful post, Neil. I really like the warmth and optimism here with the return of the Song Sparrows. The abecedarian structure works so well, a kind of acrostic. Luvluvluv it.:)
Thanks, Heidi. I like that cheery warmth in their song especially. I'm going to play with this poetry form a little bit and incorporate into my sijo and see where it goes. :)
That's great, Neil. I'll be looking for the ABC structure in your poetry. It's similar in a way to the sonnet structures.
These oft-overlooked birds are truly beautiful up close. The camera really captures their stripes and striations!
Thanks, Thomas. I was really fortunate that these Sparrows were patient for a few moments so I could capture a few images. I'm glad they've returned and looking forward to seeing and hearing more of them.
I'm wondering if these are the sparrows we find in ohio in such numbers. One of the few birds in cleveland i can identify as having a large population here. Gulls ( by the lake) crows Robins bluebirds and cardinals are very commonly seen.
They might be Marc. Those streaking marks on their chest is one giveaway. The telltale sign for me is their song - nothing else like it and so cheery!
What an adorable bird! And their songs make me so happy. Any bird song. I just wish that I knew what they were saying sometimes. Although, maybe it’s a good thing too. They might be cursing us each time we pass them ;)
Agreed, Aria and they are quite the adorable bird! That's a good point you make as well, they may be cursing us for all kinds of things! ;)