This winter a male cardinal hit our window and broke its neck instantly. I went out and picked up his still-warm body in my hand and thought, I have never held something more beautiful than this in my hand. When the female cardinal came to the birdfeeder later that day I found myself apologizing to her, and then I immediately ordered some reflective stickers for our windows. Will it work? No idea. But I had to do something.
Sorry about your cardinal, Jenny. Maybe someone will chime in here with some expertise on the window stickers, but what I understand is that they should definitely be on the outside of the glass... and that the bird-shaped stickers don't help much. There are patterned stickers - e.g. every four inches across the window - that seem far better. Thanks for stepping up to protect the birds.
Over the years we've had some hard losses. Black and white warbler, sharp-shinned hawk, veery, etc.
Thanks for noticing, David. As you've written (and everyone should read that March 2nd piece of yours), cultural habit and the patterns of English make the pronoun switch a bit of an obstacle. In this case, when I didn't recall or know the gender I just made it up. I don't have an editor to raise an eyebrow at me, and I simply didn't want to use "it." I'm sure I slip up in other writing, but I'm working on it.
Lyrical and poignant. Thanks, Jason. In response to your invitation to share, I’ll offer not my longer encounters like yours (which I’ve been enjoying among birds for half a century) but only moments with birds this past month during my travels to meet the spring in the American Southeast:
- A Roseate Spoonbill’s bill laid flat and obvious in flight low and overhead.
- An Osprey snatching Spanish Moss on the wing for nesting material.
- Ruby-crowned Kinglets belting out energetic, extensive and breathless songs.
Short yet joyful and meaningful. All gifts. And they’re flying north toward you in Maine. Well, okay, maybe not the Spoonbills (despite one turning up in Piscataquis County a few years back). 😀
Yes, Brian, joyful and meaningful gifts. That's what I'm after in relaying these longer anecdotes; the beauty in these moments, however brief and however we find them. Thanks for chiming in. Appreciate someone who has a lifetime of these interactions (and much more) adding to the conversation. Re: the osprey and the Spanish Moss, you've reminded me of my brother's story of a nest-building osprey coming in hard for a dead spruce branch he/she hadn't properly assessed... The branch didn't break, which meant the osprey spun around the branch like a gymnast on the high bar before being flung off.
Thank you for sharing your bird memories, and the beautiful photos. It is such a gift.
Bonnie Gerrard
It's my pleasure, Bonnie. Thank you so much for your comment and your support.
This winter a male cardinal hit our window and broke its neck instantly. I went out and picked up his still-warm body in my hand and thought, I have never held something more beautiful than this in my hand. When the female cardinal came to the birdfeeder later that day I found myself apologizing to her, and then I immediately ordered some reflective stickers for our windows. Will it work? No idea. But I had to do something.
Sorry about your cardinal, Jenny. Maybe someone will chime in here with some expertise on the window stickers, but what I understand is that they should definitely be on the outside of the glass... and that the bird-shaped stickers don't help much. There are patterned stickers - e.g. every four inches across the window - that seem far better. Thanks for stepping up to protect the birds.
Over the years we've had some hard losses. Black and white warbler, sharp-shinned hawk, veery, etc.
Thanks for sharing this and for using he/she instead of it for when you refer to birds. They are sentient beings not inanimate its.
Thanks for noticing, David. As you've written (and everyone should read that March 2nd piece of yours), cultural habit and the patterns of English make the pronoun switch a bit of an obstacle. In this case, when I didn't recall or know the gender I just made it up. I don't have an editor to raise an eyebrow at me, and I simply didn't want to use "it." I'm sure I slip up in other writing, but I'm working on it.
Yes, nice not to have those pesky editors questioning our word choices, at least in this case. By the way, if it's okay, here's a link to my March 2 piece. https://streetsmartnaturalist.substack.com/p/he-she-it
More than okay, David. Thanks for the link. This is also a good reminder to subscribe and recommend your work. I let that slip down my to-do list.
I'd be honored to have your recommendation.
Thanks Jason. This was different and a wonderful read. I signed the petition and sent it on to my friends. I’m appalled, but then.... 🐙 :(
Lyrical and poignant. Thanks, Jason. In response to your invitation to share, I’ll offer not my longer encounters like yours (which I’ve been enjoying among birds for half a century) but only moments with birds this past month during my travels to meet the spring in the American Southeast:
- A Roseate Spoonbill’s bill laid flat and obvious in flight low and overhead.
- An Osprey snatching Spanish Moss on the wing for nesting material.
- Ruby-crowned Kinglets belting out energetic, extensive and breathless songs.
Short yet joyful and meaningful. All gifts. And they’re flying north toward you in Maine. Well, okay, maybe not the Spoonbills (despite one turning up in Piscataquis County a few years back). 😀
Yes, Brian, joyful and meaningful gifts. That's what I'm after in relaying these longer anecdotes; the beauty in these moments, however brief and however we find them. Thanks for chiming in. Appreciate someone who has a lifetime of these interactions (and much more) adding to the conversation. Re: the osprey and the Spanish Moss, you've reminded me of my brother's story of a nest-building osprey coming in hard for a dead spruce branch he/she hadn't properly assessed... The branch didn't break, which meant the osprey spun around the branch like a gymnast on the high bar before being flung off.