As I was sitting out on the screen porch shortly before sundown, taking in the sights and sounds of nature, in the distance I could hear the familiar distant cooing of the mourning dove wafting through the air. With so much craziness going on out in the world, somehow the peaceful sound of this bird’s song was calming music to my ears.
“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.” ~Unknown
In May, the sounds of a variety of birds hidden in the tall, dense grass along the Mississippi levee fill the air. Seemingly out of nowhere, a bird will flutter through the air and alight on top of a tall weed stalk. It is interesting to slowly ride along the levee road, occasionally stopping to watch in silence, to see what different types of birds can be spotted.
male Bobolink
male Indigo bunting
male Dickcissel
immature male Orchard Oriole
Eastern Kingbird
male and female Red-winged blackbirds
“In order to see birds it is necessary to become part of the silence.” ~Robert Lynd
For the past several years, a pair of cardinals have built a nest in a bush outside our screened porch. In the past, I have been able to look through the screen and have a good view of the contents of the nest. However, this year the cardinals scored a rather large piece of plastic, which they used to line the nest. It was so big that it came up several inches behind the nest and made it impossible to see inside. My view was blocked. I had resigned myself to the fact that I probably wouldn’t get to see the babies this year, so I was rather surprised the other day when I went out to change the hummingbird feeders which are located close to the nest, and spied a fledgling sitting out on a branch of the bush.
“The only way to live is to accept each minute as an unrepeatable miracle, which is exactly what it is: a miracle and unrepeatable.” ~ Storm Jameson
A pair of Carolina Wrens have built a nest in our patio rafters. The eggs have now hatched and the parents are very busy hunting for food for the noisy, hungry brood. Their favorite source of food is seeds from the feeders which sit several feet away from the nest. They also are often seen scratching through leaves on the ground or in a nearby woodpile in search of insects and spiders.
“If what you are doing is worth doing, hang in there until it is done.” ~Nido R. Qubein
One of my favorite birds has finally arrived back in our area. This beautiful Rose-breasted Grosbeak is migrating through on his way to his northern breeding grounds. Not always easy to spot because of his timid nature, he may remain carefully hidden among foliage before cautiously venturing out to get his fill of black sunflower seeds from the feeders.
“Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
We were excited to see a young eaglet sitting on the edge of a nest in a tree along the Mississippi River. A second eaglet could be seen lower in the nest, stretching its wings. Eventually one of the parents came back to the tree and sat in the shadow of a branch above them, dutifully keeping watch before settling back into the nest.
“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” ~ Helen Keller
At this time of year, a drive around the flooded fields and woods surrounding the Mississippi levee never disappoints. It offers an opportunity to observe a variety of waterfowl and small birds.
“Birds are the most popular group in the animal kingdom. We feed them and tame them and think we know them. And yet they inhabit a world which is really rather mysterious.” ~David Attenborough
It’s not necessary to go far from home to enjoy the beauty of nature. If you just sit still and watch, sometimes nature comes to you.
“What a voyage is this we make without leaving for a night our own fireside!” ~John Burroughs
The call of the Sandhill Cranes can once again be heard as they wander the grain fields around Hop-In Refuge in search of food.
“We are all wanderers on this earth. Our hearts are full of wonder, and our souls are deep with dreams.” ~Gypsy proverb
White pelicans, migrating from their breeding grounds in the north, sometimes take a southern route along the Mississippi River. A number of these birds arrived at Reelfoot Lake in October in search of food and a place to rest.
On our first encounter with them, we spotted a large number flying silently overhead.
Later, we saw several sitting on logs out in the lake, preening their beautiful white feathers.
Below, the second pelican from the right eventually grew tired of sitting and preening, and opted instead to go for a swim.
Whether in the air or on the lake, it is always a welcome surprise to come across these magnificent birds.
“Nature’s prime favourites were the Pelicans; High-fed, long-lived, and sociable and free.” ~James Montgomery
walking on a country road 