Oh, I read this and my eyes well up with tears. Yes. Each moment we have in nature helps us endure the stress of human horrors. Environmental degradation. Lack of empathy. Yet for the complex systems of those other lives that endure and their beauty, yes, they are our respite from the fray... we can be saved. Saved by that recognition of the vireo, or whatever catches your attention in nature. Thank you Bryan. You keep our community going.
Yeah verily, or vireoly, but, what's that you say? I can't hear you for the red-eyed vireo right now singing so nearby. Thanks Bryan, for yet again being Bryan.
I am so grateful for your Vireo musings. Here on my woodland hill in western Mass, I hear the song of the Red-eyed Vireo almost nonstop, and I have chosen to not let it “get on my nerves” and your insights will help me continue to enjoy their song, full of wonder! Thank you.
Thanks for this beautiful essay reminding us that there is nothing ordinary about the seemingly ubiquitous red-eyed vireo. Just once have I seen one come to our small front yard pond, approaching carefully through the limbs of the adjacent redbud tree, during fall migration last year. My heart nearly stopped with happiness and awe at seeing it up close enjoying the Dyer Farm Bird Café & Spa. Thanks again for reminding us to look at and listen to every bird. 🙏
trail and the Red eyed Vireo on the other, without a doubt the Robin shows off his little known mimicry skills and adds a few musical riffs that sound more reminiscent of the Vireo. Funny you have selected the Red eyed Vireo, besides all the usual suspects, I have more or less two yards this time of year in VT, and both have been a major attraction to the Vireo, and both, have also attracted the Eastern Phoebe . And both, are doing their musical thing, every day, very very loud and clear.
“Perils everywhere. Death by anything from deforestation to storms to window strikes. Or a nest full of vireos. All that from a prosaic bird weighing no more than an ounce. And all of it expressed in a song persisting throughout the day. Never shall I take that for granted”.
This is a beautifully written post, Brian. Migration is certainly a masterpiece of nature. Have you ever watched Winged Migration, in theaters in 2001? Well worth seeing. While seeing it on the big screen was emotionally overwhelming, you can still find it on various venues, I believe Netflix . Here is a preview. Just hearing the music again is…
Ever since I learned just who was constantly singing (and had been for years) in the tops of our oaks and other trees, I have appreciated this little guy so much and until I hear him announce his return each spring, I hold my breath, uncertain that I won’t find his song to comfort me. Yet, so far I haven’t been disappointed. You expressed so well, so much of how I feel when hearing his chattering. Thank you!
Loved this, thank you. You made me remember that sometimes the power nature has: the ability for the mundane, common, or unnoticed—when noticed—to be transcendent. And that inspires us moves us forward!
Hooray for the Red-eyed vireo and his perspective i,e, life and song goes on despite all obstacles, and hooray for you and your perspective - we need more of both in our world.
As you so beautifully observe, our feathered friends, and all of nature , talk to each other and us every day. We need to stop, listen to them and hear their message, then act. “do your best … then do more”. It is the key to everyone’s survival. 🕊️🦅🦆🦉🪶🪽
Oh, I read this and my eyes well up with tears. Yes. Each moment we have in nature helps us endure the stress of human horrors. Environmental degradation. Lack of empathy. Yet for the complex systems of those other lives that endure and their beauty, yes, they are our respite from the fray... we can be saved. Saved by that recognition of the vireo, or whatever catches your attention in nature. Thank you Bryan. You keep our community going.
The "recognition of the vireo" -- I could have used that as a title for my essay. Thanks, Sue. And thanks for caring.
Yeah verily, or vireoly, but, what's that you say? I can't hear you for the red-eyed vireo right now singing so nearby. Thanks Bryan, for yet again being Bryan.
Then we're listening together, Micki! An honor!
I am so grateful for your Vireo musings. Here on my woodland hill in western Mass, I hear the song of the Red-eyed Vireo almost nonstop, and I have chosen to not let it “get on my nerves” and your insights will help me continue to enjoy their song, full of wonder! Thank you.
Thanks, Mary Ann. Yes, in some ways, a vireo is a state of mind -- even calming to the our nerves.
Just what I needed today. Thank you for your beautifully written piece.
Agree
I'm honored to write, Carol. Thanks for reading.
Beautifully written and deeply thoughtful. Now when I hear the Red-eyed Vireo I will hear,
"love yourself … love the world … make it better … do your best … then do more." Thank you for that.
So kind of you. Thanks so much, Heather. That means a lot to me. (Your Blue-headed Vireos are singing a similar tune!)
Loved this! We see more Blue-headed vireos up in Maine but they have that same distinctive question-then-answer song.
Yeah, in your softwoods, a bit "thinner" and "meek" in song compared to Red-eyed Vireo!
Thanks for this beautiful essay reminding us that there is nothing ordinary about the seemingly ubiquitous red-eyed vireo. Just once have I seen one come to our small front yard pond, approaching carefully through the limbs of the adjacent redbud tree, during fall migration last year. My heart nearly stopped with happiness and awe at seeing it up close enjoying the Dyer Farm Bird Café & Spa. Thanks again for reminding us to look at and listen to every bird. 🙏
They can indeed be furtive up there in the trees. I'm glad to hear one came in to visit with you, Diana!
Sometimes the Robin is singing on one side of the
trail and the Red eyed Vireo on the other, without a doubt the Robin shows off his little known mimicry skills and adds a few musical riffs that sound more reminiscent of the Vireo. Funny you have selected the Red eyed Vireo, besides all the usual suspects, I have more or less two yards this time of year in VT, and both have been a major attraction to the Vireo, and both, have also attracted the Eastern Phoebe . And both, are doing their musical thing, every day, very very loud and clear.
“Perils everywhere. Death by anything from deforestation to storms to window strikes. Or a nest full of vireos. All that from a prosaic bird weighing no more than an ounce. And all of it expressed in a song persisting throughout the day. Never shall I take that for granted”.
This is a beautifully written post, Brian. Migration is certainly a masterpiece of nature. Have you ever watched Winged Migration, in theaters in 2001? Well worth seeing. While seeing it on the big screen was emotionally overwhelming, you can still find it on various venues, I believe Netflix . Here is a preview. Just hearing the music again is…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzJqF3WdN80
Thanks, Lor. I have indeed seen Wings Migration. Transformative. American Robin and Red-eyed Vireo -- rich and fruity!
Your essay reminds me that the unsung hero of nature is endurance, which may sound pedestrian but is profound and transcending.
Well said, Terry. Thanks!
I find nature to be the great soother of the chaos we are surrentlyliving thru. Thanks for a getter description than I am able to verbalize
Your voice is supportive and clear for nature. Thanks, Teri!
Ever since I learned just who was constantly singing (and had been for years) in the tops of our oaks and other trees, I have appreciated this little guy so much and until I hear him announce his return each spring, I hold my breath, uncertain that I won’t find his song to comfort me. Yet, so far I haven’t been disappointed. You expressed so well, so much of how I feel when hearing his chattering. Thank you!
I'm so glad to hear that he's persisting in your oaks and other trees. As we know, sadly, lots of birds aren't.
I will have my ear out for this little friend. And in the meantime, thank you for these beautiful words.
Vireos ❤️ The Great Lakes!
I stopped by the marsh today and didn’t see them but my Merlin app could hear them! 💙🩵
Loved this, thank you. You made me remember that sometimes the power nature has: the ability for the mundane, common, or unnoticed—when noticed—to be transcendent. And that inspires us moves us forward!
It so often really is about the prosaic -- right there with us. Thanks, Michael!
And it seems almost prosaic or even curmudgeonly to say it… But the fact is they don't need a passport or a green card. They just fly.
Open skies, open borders for songbirds!
Hooray for the Red-eyed vireo and his perspective i,e, life and song goes on despite all obstacles, and hooray for you and your perspective - we need more of both in our world.
So very kind of you. Thanks for being here, Marci!
As you so beautifully observe, our feathered friends, and all of nature , talk to each other and us every day. We need to stop, listen to them and hear their message, then act. “do your best … then do more”. It is the key to everyone’s survival. 🕊️🦅🦆🦉🪶🪽
Yep, when we slow down, we listen more. We think, we act.