Thank you, my friend. The Wood Thrush song takes me back more than 50 years to the first time I was aware of this magnificent music and, now, yes, not heard as often as it needs to be for a healthy world. Onward in this day.
Thanks, John. Yeah, about 20 or 30 or so years ago, research pointed to declining soil calcium as a factor in Wood Thrush decline. Wood Thrushes tend to rely on dietary calcium more than most birds, and acid rain was seen as a culprit in leaching calcium from soils (and, as I recall, causing a decline in terrestrial snails, which I gather are prey species for Wood Thrush). I'm not sure how much the calcium thing is still an issue in Wood Thrush population dynamics (probably is), but I also suspect that outright habitat destruction is a major factor in their decline as well. Insect decline is probably also a factor. (I still hear them singing in Hubbard Park!)
Those two moths are so beautiful. I love the names of moths. In fact i recently used a selection of random UK moth names as a prompt for a writing group, and everyone loved it.
Great idea! Moth biologists are creative when it comes to naming. A few others from my world: Splendid Dagger, Chocolate Prominent, Skunk Twirler, Abrupt Brother, Little Devil, Intractable Quaker, Beautiful Wood-Nymph, Owl-eyed Bird-Dropping, The Infant, The Hebrew, The Betrothed, The Drinker, The Penitent.
Thanks, Hal. In some ways, it's a topic the world already knows. I guess I'll approach it from the field, from the perspective of a naturalist who lives close to nature -- and frankly can't imagine living otherwise.
I love your writing Bryan. Sorry about the ribs. I look forward to hearing how we might reverse the “Nature Deficit Disorder” that is so prevalent in our society.
Thanks so much for that Wood Thrush, the photos of magnificently beautiful moths, and your promised insights on demagoguery, commerce, celebrity, and A.I.. Heather Remoff
I've been thinking much of the day about that essay -- and I'll be thinking a lot more about it on my walks. I'll do my best to deliver. Thanks for the encouragement, Heather!
I am 77. I spent my childhood in a MD suburb on the District line. For some reason I carved out a small corner of the lot as my wilderness. I went there often under giant old oak trees and rotten fallen logs.
I spent 40 years of my career as a practicing naturalist in Maine. My kids were with me in the natural world constantly. Their kids- one in Bangor Maine and 2 in Raleigh NC - are rarely outside and certainly don't know the trees on their street. A generation lost.
Humanity is messy. Familial humanity is cyclical.
My grandchildren will thrive and succeed in life. They are modern children of privilege.
Yes, this transition has happened in our lifetime, Susan. Perhaps it gives us some perspective. Recently, I saw a man walking a little girl home from school (I assumed it was his daughter). He was looking at his phone; his daughter walked behind him. It broke my heart.
Thank you Brian for your Wonderful words and special photos about Nature. It is always a special day when I receive your posts. The delightful vocalist Wood Thrush is here in our woods as a Summer visitor and is a joy to hear every day at our rural home.
That Wood Thrush song evokes a longing for Swainson's Thrushes, which I have not heard this year because I haven't been out in the woods -- a neglect you're reminding me to remedy!
Looking forward to that essay. Excellent opening. Heal well!
Yikes, the bad news does come tumbling down sometime. I soothed away my blues hanging out with a hermit thrush this morning. I always picture a bohemian hermit playing jazz improv on a flute from a NYC apartment window. Be well, fellow wanderer.
Listening to the Wood Thrush my reaction was "Oh, THAT's who that is!" Thank you. I hope you feel better. I've been re-reading Jean Auel's books to connect to a time when living in nature was the norm.
Having just heard a Hermit Thrush on a hike with my dogs a few hours ago, the Wood Thrush does sound a bit different. Thanks for that. Hope the ribs heal quickly.
Beautiful, Bryan! This beautiful photo and song remind me of learning from my dad, when I was 10 or so, to look for the wood thrush by scanning low - not high - in the direction of its song. It worked then - but it's years since I've seen or heard one. (And sadly they don't come as far west as CA, though we do get Hermit Thrushes (another beauty). Hope your ribs heal fast!
Thank you so much for your beautiful writing, sharing your insights and passions. Just yesterday evening when I walked up the street into our nearby woods hoping to catch sight of the fireflies (I was a bit early), I recorded a Wood Thrush singing and immediately my somber mood was lifted.
Thank you so much, Bryan. Love the moths, we've had a couple Rosy Maple Moths on our screen door over the years. And recently the lovely Comstock's Sallow which looks like a tiny piece of lichen. I'm with you on all fronts, especially the dealing of nature loss front. Nothing better than Thrush music to lift out spirits. Feel better, heal soon, and I look forward to you article! We may be moving back to VT next year!
Thank you, my friend. The Wood Thrush song takes me back more than 50 years to the first time I was aware of this magnificent music and, now, yes, not heard as often as it needs to be for a healthy world. Onward in this day.
Thanks, John. Yeah, about 20 or 30 or so years ago, research pointed to declining soil calcium as a factor in Wood Thrush decline. Wood Thrushes tend to rely on dietary calcium more than most birds, and acid rain was seen as a culprit in leaching calcium from soils (and, as I recall, causing a decline in terrestrial snails, which I gather are prey species for Wood Thrush). I'm not sure how much the calcium thing is still an issue in Wood Thrush population dynamics (probably is), but I also suspect that outright habitat destruction is a major factor in their decline as well. Insect decline is probably also a factor. (I still hear them singing in Hubbard Park!)
For the first time in years, I'm hearing one here too. Ok particularly drizzly mornings!
Yay! Brightens any drizzling morning!
Those two moths are so beautiful. I love the names of moths. In fact i recently used a selection of random UK moth names as a prompt for a writing group, and everyone loved it.
Great idea! Moth biologists are creative when it comes to naming. A few others from my world: Splendid Dagger, Chocolate Prominent, Skunk Twirler, Abrupt Brother, Little Devil, Intractable Quaker, Beautiful Wood-Nymph, Owl-eyed Bird-Dropping, The Infant, The Hebrew, The Betrothed, The Drinker, The Penitent.
I await your essay. Your introductory paragraphs nail what I feel.
Thanks, Hal. In some ways, it's a topic the world already knows. I guess I'll approach it from the field, from the perspective of a naturalist who lives close to nature -- and frankly can't imagine living otherwise.
I love your writing Bryan. Sorry about the ribs. I look forward to hearing how we might reverse the “Nature Deficit Disorder” that is so prevalent in our society.
Thanks so much, Kit. I'll do my best -- and will write with all I've got so as not to let you down!
Thanks so much for that Wood Thrush, the photos of magnificently beautiful moths, and your promised insights on demagoguery, commerce, celebrity, and A.I.. Heather Remoff
I've been thinking much of the day about that essay -- and I'll be thinking a lot more about it on my walks. I'll do my best to deliver. Thanks for the encouragement, Heather!
I am 77. I spent my childhood in a MD suburb on the District line. For some reason I carved out a small corner of the lot as my wilderness. I went there often under giant old oak trees and rotten fallen logs.
I spent 40 years of my career as a practicing naturalist in Maine. My kids were with me in the natural world constantly. Their kids- one in Bangor Maine and 2 in Raleigh NC - are rarely outside and certainly don't know the trees on their street. A generation lost.
Humanity is messy. Familial humanity is cyclical.
My grandchildren will thrive and succeed in life. They are modern children of privilege.
Yes, this transition has happened in our lifetime, Susan. Perhaps it gives us some perspective. Recently, I saw a man walking a little girl home from school (I assumed it was his daughter). He was looking at his phone; his daughter walked behind him. It broke my heart.
Thank you Brian for your Wonderful words and special photos about Nature. It is always a special day when I receive your posts. The delightful vocalist Wood Thrush is here in our woods as a Summer visitor and is a joy to hear every day at our rural home.
Cheers,
Michael
I'm glad you're hearing what I'm hearing, Michael! And thanks for the kind words.
That Wood Thrush song evokes a longing for Swainson's Thrushes, which I have not heard this year because I haven't been out in the woods -- a neglect you're reminding me to remedy!
Looking forward to that essay. Excellent opening. Heal well!
It makes me happy when you hear Swainson's Thrushes -- because I know you're outside and happy!
Thank you,
We especially loved the birding interview!
That was indeed a fun interview. Nate's a great conversationalist!
Yikes, the bad news does come tumbling down sometime. I soothed away my blues hanging out with a hermit thrush this morning. I always picture a bohemian hermit playing jazz improv on a flute from a NYC apartment window. Be well, fellow wanderer.
I can see it now -- a Hermit Thrush with a black beret and turtleneck, also reading Allen Ginsberg! 🤣
Yes, I'll always see that when I hear the hermit sing from now on.
Listening to the Wood Thrush my reaction was "Oh, THAT's who that is!" Thank you. I hope you feel better. I've been re-reading Jean Auel's books to connect to a time when living in nature was the norm.
Wow -- hadn't heard of Jean Auel's books. Thanks, Sue! What a theme!
Having just heard a Hermit Thrush on a hike with my dogs a few hours ago, the Wood Thrush does sound a bit different. Thanks for that. Hope the ribs heal quickly.
I actually heard Hermit Thrush and Veery as well on that trip -- it was an ethereal serende!
Beautiful, Bryan! This beautiful photo and song remind me of learning from my dad, when I was 10 or so, to look for the wood thrush by scanning low - not high - in the direction of its song. It worked then - but it's years since I've seen or heard one. (And sadly they don't come as far west as CA, though we do get Hermit Thrushes (another beauty). Hope your ribs heal fast!
Thanks, Dudley! Your kind words help heal ribs! Say hello to those western Hermit Thrushes for me! (Yours are a bit smaller than ours in the East.)
Thank you so much for your beautiful writing, sharing your insights and passions. Just yesterday evening when I walked up the street into our nearby woods hoping to catch sight of the fireflies (I was a bit early), I recorded a Wood Thrush singing and immediately my somber mood was lifted.
A Wood Thrush introducing the firefly light show -- perfect! Thanks for sharing that, Linda!
Thank you so much, Bryan. Love the moths, we've had a couple Rosy Maple Moths on our screen door over the years. And recently the lovely Comstock's Sallow which looks like a tiny piece of lichen. I'm with you on all fronts, especially the dealing of nature loss front. Nothing better than Thrush music to lift out spirits. Feel better, heal soon, and I look forward to you article! We may be moving back to VT next year!