Bird Songs

It has been a long cold winter in West Michigan, again. But, despite the cold, spring can be heard in the air.

Yesterday, while sitting at breakfast with my husband, I heard a Red-winged Blackbird. I was lucky, too, since the temperatures were in the 50's and I could and did open my window and listened to them sing ALL day. A little later, I saw 6 blackbirds in our willow tree. These birds are the early scouts establishing nesting territories with song, posturing, and other aggressive behavior. Their songs, though, give me great joy and I never tire of listening to them.

Then, this morning as I ran in the rain to get the mail, I heard just one short melodic call. I hurried inside to tell my husband that the American Robin was back (or should I say home). Shortly, afterwards I saw 6 robins on the lawn. All summer long, I have robins singing in the early evening. I have learned to identify individuals by their song. Once, I had a young robin, practicing its songs and he could not reach the high notes. (definitely an alto)

Reflecting back on the other bird comments made in this house, I realize that we hear the birds first, and then we know to watch for them. I heard my first Sandhill Cranes in mid February but only saw them this week.

Even though many birds winter here, their songs are different and happier in the spring. Last evening in the dark, the Canada Geese were flying overhead, calling to each other, and looking for a place on open water on the lake. (a most welcome summer sound.) Since early February, despite the near zero temperatures, the Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, and Black-capped Chickadees have been singing their love songs to each other.

Despite the weather, bird song is in the air and spring is around the corner.

Hope you hear them, too.

The references and gear I used for this blog are:
Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: Canon EF100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM
Camera: Canon EOS 10D
Lens: Canon EF28-105mm F/3.5-4.5 II USM
Steiner 10x42 Predator Binoculars
The SIBLEY Guide to Birds

All images © MSCI

For The Birds

I thought about naming my blog "For The Birds" but the idiomatic meaning (as found on google) is objectionable or worthless. Neither negative meaning is correct for birders. Some activities we do are just for the birds and bring us great excitement and joy.

On a trip some years ago, I took hundreds of photos (this was still in the film age) and when the exposures were developed, there were hundreds of pictures of birds, a few pictures of sites and scenery, two of my husband and none of me! (not a ranking of importance) As we say, this trip was just for the birds and more.

I have begun my quest to drive down every road from California...


for dancing Snowy Egrets


and White-faced Ibis


to New York Island for racing Sanderlings...


for popcorn eating Ring-billed Gulls from Michigan...


and to Texas for preening Roseate Spoonbills


and for egrets and herons


and for Sandhill Cranes at Bosque del Apache, New Mexico and many stops in between.

I have a glass picture with birds that says "Laugh often, Love much, Watch birds". Sometimes it is "For The Birds".