A photo taken back in May of a pair of Dickcissels which were nesting in the tall grass along the Mississippi levee.
“We were together. I forget the rest.” ~Walt Whitman
A Pair of Dickcissels
Dickcissels
Dickcissels
I look forward each spring to visiting the Mississippi levee in hopes of a glimpse of this small bird. As you drive along, you can hear the calls of Dickcissels concealed in the dense, tall grass along the road. Occasionally, one will fly up and perch on a swaying stalk — guarding their territory, plucking seeds from the plant heads, and belting out a loud song.
Below is a short video of a Dickcissel’s song.
“Sing, then. Sing, indeed, with shoulders back, and head up so that song might go to the roof and beyond to the sky.” ~Richard Llewellyn
Exercising caution
I was able to get some photos of a pair of Dickcissels in the tall grass along the Mississippi levee. The female was quite the poser, but the male was more cautious and tended to stay hidden among the grass. These “sparrow-like birds” can be found in our area from early May to August.
“Thus hand in hand through life we’ll go;
Its checker’d paths of joy and woe
With cautious steps we ‘ll tread.”
―Nathaniel Cotton
walking on a country road 