Friday 5 February 2016

And The Songbird Sweetly Sings ...


Most days I take my daily stroll on the same route around the village.
I see the same fields every day;
The same lanes and roads;
The same houses;
Sometimes even the same people walking the same way as me every day.


I know which trees the squirrels prefer and see them leaping from branch to branch.
I know where the snowdrops will appear in the ditches.
I know which part of the hedgerow the pigeons will burst out from as I pass by.
I know the territories of the robins as I hear them singing their song.
I know where animals make their nests in the bole of a tree.
All this is catalogued in my brain.
This is the advantage of walking the same route every day in every season.
You look more closely, observe and remember.




But, just as everything is the same, there are also differences.
A tree succumbs to the strong winds, the top snaps and crashes to the ground.
The trunk rent asunder.
Branches and debris scattered across the road.
Raw scars where limbs have been ripped off.
Ivy still clinging to the trunk.
Old birds nests flung into the fields.


And in the midst of the gale above the whining of the wind I hear a different song.
A Mistle* Thrush.
It's voice loud and clear.
A clarion call, so distinctive and melodic.
I stopped and stood still in the lane, buffeted by the gusts; scarf flapping; hair wild and wind blown.
Listening.
Entranced by the sheer beauty of the thrush song.
High in the tree tops.
A silhouette against the blue of the sky and the scudding clouds.
Enthralled, almost forgetting we were in the middle of a windstorm.
The Mistle Thrush, or Storm Cock, who loves wild, windy weather.
Who sings in celebration.
Simply beautiful.



Elaine

*So called because of their fondness of Mistletoe berries.
 

 



67 comments:

  1. Are they red squirrels Elaine?

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    1. No, unfortunately, just plain old greys but still delightful to watch their antics. Thanks for visiting Judy.

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  2. That horse's coat is a bit swish! Like you, I am comfortable with the familiar routines. If you know something well, you are more aware of any changes.

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    1. It is isn't it, although I don't think the weather really warrants it.

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  4. I was there with you Elaine ... a lovely post, thank you.

    It's so lovely to see snowdrops when out and about - and it is so good to be out and about.

    Enjoy your Friday

    All the best Jan

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it Jan - it was blowing so hard we literally could hardly stand on our own two feet. Have a good weekend.

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  5. I wish that I could hear the sweet bird song. I enjoyed the detail and the description of your walk, nearly making me think that I was with you. Here, too cold and too much snow for this old girl to out and walk. I was thinking this morning before I got up that this winter is really dragging itself along.

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    1. Our winter has been mild compared to yours and we have managed to get out every day - if only for half an hour or so - glad to have you along with me Ann.

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  6. I love to hear birdsong, we had a very loud Robin in our garden this morningxx

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    1. The robin's song is my favourite I have to say and luckily we have plenty of them around here.

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  7. Lovely post and pictures. I think that the important words are... everything is the same, there are also differences. Flighty xx

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    1. Thanks Flighty - yes, there is always something different to see if you have eyes to see it with.

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  8. I was thinking as I walked with you how I'd love to hear the bird then saw the youtube box. It wouldn't work so I'll try later. Thank you. I need to walk today. My weenies go off separate ways, hidden in the deep weeds and grasses and I am constantly trying to find them so it isn't quite as calming as your walk. They do enjoy it though they are mischievous and roll in all things nasty and don't listen to a thing I say.

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    1. That's the trouble walking with dogs isn't it - you have to concentrate more on what they are up to.

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  9. Lovely reading, I also enjoy walking almost the same routes every day and indeed than we notice the smalles differences in nature, I love it never get bored of it.

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    1. Like you I never seem to tire of walking the same route every day - I keep my eyes open and am surprised at all the different things I spot along the way.

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  10. A most beautiful bird with the sweetest of voices. Enjoy your weekend and walking in the wind Elaine.

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    1. Where we live is surrounded by hills and when it sings it echoes all around and you can never be sure which direction it is coming from - it is a song that is hard to miss. Have a great weekend Anna.

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  11. A beautiful post. It's cozy to go all the time the same ways, I do that too ... and I like them all, the blackbirds and the different throttles, they begin their spring concert now.
    Have a good weekend

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    1. Thank you Mascha. Yes, this is the time where birds are defending their territories and soon nest building will begin.

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  12. Such a wonderful post! It was grand to walk with you! Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Thank you Cathy - glad to have you along. Have a great weekend.

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  13. Just loved your post and this is how nature is !! Happy weekend and Greetings from Dubai!!

    Shantana

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    1. Hello - thanks for visiting glad you enjoyed the post.

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  14. I too like you like to take the same walk round the park, which birds are in which tree and were the flowers will start to grow. Some people might find it a little boring, but I love it.. and after all these years the park will still through in a few surprises now and then.
    Amanda xx

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    1. It's funny isn't it that the more familiar you are with a place the more you observe - you would think it was the other way round though - not really seeing a place that is familiar.

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  15. This is so lovely. Taking the same way every day really enables a deep relationship with place. Thank you for sharing it with us <3

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    1. Thank you Sarah - I do so agree that you feel a fondness for somewhere that is so familiar yet there is always something different to catch your eye.

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  16. What a lovely post and photos.. how wonderful to hear the Mistle Thrush. Thanks for the video at the end was lovely to listen to. :o)

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    1. Thanks Julie - the song is so instantly recognisable once you have identified which bird it is coming from.

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  17. Like you, I know my surroundings well but can still be surprised by the magic of the moment. Nature is always changing.

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    1. Absolutely Barb - always something different to notice no matter how many times you take the same route.

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  18. Dear Elaine - I too walk the same path most days. Like you some things remain the same but there are sweet surprises. Just the other day I caught sight of a blue bird swinging on a corn stalk and it made my heart light. Loved your bird song. I can see why you would stop and listen to such a sweet sound. Thanks for sharing your beautiful words as well as your photos. Hope you have a great weekend.

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    1. Thank you Debbie - we share a love of the countryside - nice to have a fellow wanderer who thinks the same way. Have a lovely weekend too.

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  19. The horse blanket is cute! That fuzzball must be clipped under there.

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    1. I visit the horses for a chat every day they are very friendly and fuzzy too - yes they are probably clipped and appreciate their warm coats.

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  20. What a handsome bird and lovely song. Enjoy your daily walks.

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    1. You don't see them too often but well worth it when you do.

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  21. Walking is on one the best ways for observing your surrounds; you are doubly lucky to be able to walk in the countryside.

    Love the photo of the pony with the polka-dotted rug.

    Ms Soup

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    1. So true - I love cycling too although only in the summer. We have lots of horses round here all very curious when I turn up with my camera.

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  22. What a wonderful post, dear Elaine!
    I'm not sure if I've ever heard a mistle thrush singing, but I know song thrushes and blackbirds are heavenly singers. Blackbirds seem to have become more common here.
    Wishing you a lovely weekend!

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    1. Thank you Sarah - the call of the. Isle thrush is very distinctive - I too love a blackbird song, but the robin is my favourite. Have a good weekend yourself.

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  23. Hello Elaine. This is such a lovely post about your local walk. I'm the same, I love observing the small changes in my local 'patch'. By doing the same walk, I've learnt so much about the natural world and the changes the different seasons bring. The Mistle Thrush is beautiful. I always think of it as a winter bird.

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    1. Hi Wendy. Glad you enjoyed the post - I agree there is so much to learn in observing the world about us on a daily basis - we don't see the bird too often but know when he is about by his beautiful song.

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  24. I love familiar walks. Especially watching how they change through the seasons. Your walk is beautiful. We have an elusive resident Mistle Thrush. They are gorgeous birds.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend :)

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    1. Exactly - seeing the seasonal changes is definitely a bonus on a daily walk - it keeps you on your toes :)

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  25. We have blossom out and each morning brings more birdsong ..... a sure sign that Spring is on it's way. It's so windy here today ... we had all of our trees cut yesterday, as we do every year. If we hadn't, our garden would have looked like some of your photographs of dead branches and twigs Elaine !!!!! A beautiful sky in your first photograph.... you seem to have many beautiful skies where you live !! XXXX

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    1. My wild plum tree is full of blossom too - the first year since I planted it. The lanes around here are a total mess of mud and puddles at the moment - looks a bit like the Somme! Roll on spring. p.s. I have a bit of a sky obsession have you noticed!!!

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  26. How lovely to take the same walk every day, it sounds wonderful. Thank you for taking us with you. I never knew that about Mistle Thrush!

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    1. It is a nice circular route that takes in a bit of everything - always enjoyable no matter what the weather.

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  27. I enjoyed hearing the Mistle Thrush sing and seeing it at the same time in what looked like a strong wind blowing.
    How lovely to take a daily stroll in the country and see so many familiar and beautiful sights. I miss seeing fields in my neighbourhood, but I also know how to seek out the first spring flowers in other people's gardens which give me immense joy!

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    1. I pass a lot of gardens on my walk and it is always a pleasure to see what is in flower - everywhere at the moment there are daffodils adding a lovely bit of colour at last!

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  28. So many lovely things in your post. I love your descriptions of those familiar things you see every day on your walk and also of those scenes that change with the seasons or because of the weather. Super photos:)

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    1. Thank you Rosie - glad you enjoyed taking my walk with me.

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  29. I know exactly what you mean. Spending time in the same locality puts you so closely in touch with the changing seasons. I swear I could smell spring yesterday!!

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    1. Hello Jane - nice to see you. Yes, it does - I feel very connected to my surroundings. Oh yes, spring is definitely on the way.

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  30. The things we know and thus are able to notice the little changes. The place where the violets will grow. The birds songs. And - as today, very early in the year - the return of grey geese flying over the house in Berlin.

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    1. Yes, this is what makes it special - I am always stopping and taking photographs and listening for different birds - it makes the walk a bit more interesting every day.

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  31. The colours in that first image of wonderful! It is so good to have a bigger area than our gardens to observe, love and notice the changes throughout the year. The last few weeks we have heard the dawn chorus, such a beautiful sound. Sarah x

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  32. It was a beautiful sunset - it was the same evening that others were seeing that unusual sky in the north, called nacreous clouds. Unfortunately I have missed out on the dawn chorus of late being a bit of a slug-a-bed but come spring when the mornings are lighter no doubt the birds will be waking me at 5.30.

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  33. Love the snowdrops! You are lucky to have them in your ditches. We have lost some older trees along our walk this winter. We really miss them. My kids have nicknames for many.

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    1. Hi Erin - long time, no see. Yes they are lovely aren't they they brighten up the hedgerows on a gloomy day like today. It is always sad to see older trees finally giving up the ghost and succumbing to winter.

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  34. It's way too easy to rush through life and miss the joy of small observances that one can make on a familiar walk. I try to remind myself of this as often as I can.

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    1. This is so true Jennifer it is easy to rush on and fail to notice what is going on around you.

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  35. I think walking the same walk and seeing the same familiar things makes them more intriguing. There is nothing more other worldly than the song of a bird in the quiet of a walk. This was such a wonderful post. I can't believe you see these things every day....like Beatice Potter!!

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    1. Thank you. We live in the countryside so these things are fairly commonplace for which I am truly grateful. Thanks for visiting.

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