I saw a flock of grackles dropping into my yard, fleeing into the trees, and dropping back onto the ground like the leaves falling from the oak trees. I think it's not quite a murmuration, but something akin to it. It's a magical thing as they rise and fall, and swoop and flee together. Until you said it, it didn't occur to me that they do that at least partly out of community safety. Interestingly, there son't seem to be red grackles or blue grackles. They seem to have agreed on their way of being in the world. I wonder if there are dissenters in their community? But I suppose there are communities of robins or blue jays which move in different directions. Somehow all the communities seem to be able to coexist without much more than some periodic squawking. I would like to come up with some profound insight to apply that to our human communities. Someday, maybe.
Magical is a good word for it, Darrell. I learned, from writing this piece, that murmurations are specific to European starlings, but of course there are many other critters who move in similar formation (schools of fish come to mind). Having had the opportunity for close study of a large-ish flock of chickens, there is a reason we use the expression "pecking order," and sometimes it's not at all fair or sustainable for the one at the bottom. I've read similar accounts for other species, primates at the top of the list. I guess the key difference is that, as far as we know, the treatment stems from something that isn't idealogical, and it's far less likely to happen in natural settings when there is no shortage of resources. That right there is key.
A goal, anyway. I'm 100% sure I won't get to all of it! Intention is the main thing, right? Paying attention, taking stock. Here's hoping we both make time for that this season. Thanks for your thoughts, Roe.
You had me at "the tree canopies still swim like schools of green mackerel." And then took me along on an end-of-summer ride, feeling all the feelings that come with the transition from summer to fall. I felt heartened by the conclusion of the journey: "Let’s look after each other, eh?" A sentiment in the writing I shared this week, too, and one I'm seeing more and more out in the world. It gives me hope, in this time we all recognize as one of change but know (if we are paying much attention) that the nature of the change is uncertain and fraught. Perhaps at least part of the change will be a movement toward greater kindness and caring? So glad you got to have one of those kinds of walks with a friend. That's one of the best ways of looking after one another that I know.
I've not made time to read today's piece, Rita, but the title has me eager to do so. "Why we need help doesn't matter" -- yes, indeed! I think we are not alone in grabbing hold of any sources of hope we can find these days, and as you suggest, maybe that will be one thing good generated from the widespread turmoil.
This friend and I used to walk several times a week. Then life swooped in and took over, not to mention an Achilles tendon issue. I know you know about physical limitations (as do so many of us here). Still, the best kind of therapy.
Grateful for your engagement here, Rita. You always have such thoughtful comments.
As you lose your variety of fresh foods, I’m in Australia just seeing the first of the new season’s treasures. Fresh asparagus has just come in. Yay! It has become such a joy to plan recipes as new items appear at our local farmer’s market.
And oh yes in relation to reacting to comments by friends that don’t fit with our own view of the world. It is so hard to find just the right level of response that allows them to feel heard but still able to discuss the possibilities around what they’ve read. There’s so much misinformation these days and it’s so easy to spout something you’ve read but not thought through yet. A friend can so easily remind you of aspects you believe in that don’t fit with this new ‘story’. So complex.
Beth, hellooooo from way up here! Fresh asparagus is beyond compare. A dear farmer friend whom we lost in June of this year brought me the only asparagus I ate this spring--four enormous bunches of it that I should probably have shared but instead kept all for myself! 😊
I really appreciate you touching on the tension of interacting with friends whose views diverge from our own. I notice that I am far more tolerant of that, and willing to allow for greater openness, when I already have a relationship. Case in point, the farmer mentioned above. I'm holding onto your last line: "A friend can so easily remind you of aspects you believe in that don’t fit with this new ‘story’." Thank you!
I gave up feeding the birds and keeping chickens because I was breaking the bank feeding more rodents than birds. I was delighted to learn that there are now seed mixes and suet cakes with (I think) cayenne pepper, which mammals can taste and hate, but which birds don’t mind. I hope this is true, because I’d like to try.
We've never set up feeders because they seemed like traps when our three cats were still about. We are squirrel and rabbit heavy here; I wouldn't mind finding a way to attract fox!
Bingo! My post for tomorrow opens with the exact same quote.
I do love the birdfeeders and must try to locate some similar ones locally. Since I've been putting seed out, I've started to count species which is thrilling.
Quote synergy - love it! Which bird feeder style do you prefer, Prue? As mentioned above in my comment to Nicole, we've only ever scattered seed in dishes and across table tops, fearing that feeders would just be a set-up for the cats. Now that they're gone, I'm rethinking. I recently came across someone's backyard bird count which seemed to indicate that most populations are on the rise. This was in NC. I hope it's true, though it seems improbable.
I just have open dishes - one XL terracotta which sits on the ground and one rusty-style metal dish with a little roof over it that hangs suspended in the Japanese maple. I'm now regularly visited by parrots, finches, honey eaters and wagtails, silver eyes, wild pigeons, sparrows and starlings. They all share beautifully. I've got no qualms about feeding them. The weather has been so harsh and galeforce that they deserve to have respite in the garden. I feed them commercial birdmixes from the supermarket but think its time to buy bulk (cheaper) and keep in a rubbish tin in the garden shed.
Ooh, your species are (not surprisingly) so different from ours. One of the things I loved most, actually, about my visit was meeting all the new bird friends. Here, I've learned recently that the "cheaper" seed mixes are mostly wasted, because our most frequent birds don't actually eat smaller seeds, like millet. I remember our cockatiel loving millet, though, so maybe it's different for parrot-types.
I love the fall also.... The fall quickly changed to an early winter last night in Western North Carolina with its first flakes of snow... I saw various pictures of snow-covered ground ..
but what disturbed me even more was the report of sub-freezing temps... So sad for the people of our state who have had to put up with all kinds of wrong data and now have to put up with early winter freezing temps... I guess fall looks good or or even great when the things are going well ...but certainly it couldn't look very exciting to those without heat and water...
I'm so sorry for the added struggle in western NC, Barry. It looks like it's going to be short-lived, thank heavens. One possible bright spot with the cold is that it will slow the spread of mold and mosquitoes which I imagine are huge issues in the aftermath of all the water. Still, it's true that I am privileged to even have the option to notice all that has come to me recently.
Always pleased to get a glimpse of your thoughts. Thanks for being here.
I realized today how much I miss my birdfeeder. Admittedly I chase those chirping flyers off my rig....sorry...
Do you know Wild Birds Unlimited stores from decades ago? Still around? My family tromped through Upstate NY snow to fill feeders and hang suet, know it helped our fellow creatures. My grandfather fed peanuts to chipmunks who eventually went straight into the front pocket of his flannel shirt.
I don't remember them from my past, Janice, but they definitely still exist. Thanks for what looks to be a great resource. And gosh, what memories! The only tromping we did was around our suburban yard. Ha! Chupmunks are delightfully curious and terribly cute, though I'm sure an equal nuisance to squirrels in large numbers. For whatever reason, they only live west of the Bay. I suppose I should consider that a good thing! "Provide not divide." That right there is bumper sticker material. Thanks so much, Janice!
This line! “Officially, fall started weeks ago, but where I am the tree canopies still swim like schools of green mackerel. “ — How beautiful to take that “ground” (water) image and put it in the sky. Lovely. November is my favorite light, and we’re getting close, right. I love the suncatcher moment and the attention to the birds preparing to journey. Some of them overwinter? As we all navigate the tensions of these days, these are nice moments to stop, notice, and reflect. Your trail map is a riot.
Ah, thanks Amy, for always noticing so much detail. I wonder how your November light differs from mine, if it does. All of the birds mentioned in this post are here year round, though some of them go up in population as others join from places farther north. As you know, I am trying to spend more of my time in intentional reflection, so this week's observations have a relationship there.
Janice, above, suggested sharing that map with others who want to walk the breast path. Loved that idea!
p.s. Your first postcard is on its way at last. I hope it makes it through the bowels of the system. :)
Mmm....love letter. That's also delicious, and interestingly, I'd not really thought of it through that lens. Thank you for the way you see the world, Elizabeth.
Oh Elizabeth, such beautiful words and pictures throughout - this vigorous vignette of autumn has got me glowing from the inside. Loved this line especially - '...where I am the tree canopies still swim like schools of green mackerel.'
We feed our birds all the year round, and now that the weather is so very much cooler our hedgehogs are back to fatten up on dropped seeds and mealworms ready for hibernation. The middle two weeks of October are my favourite - the leaves are changing but are in the most part still attached - although the storms of the weekend have made their mark.
They’re adorable! We think we have two - one of them has much longer tummy hair/bristles - we call that one ‘Skirty Gertie’, because she (he) looks as if she’s wearing a skirt! 🤣
I saw a flock of grackles dropping into my yard, fleeing into the trees, and dropping back onto the ground like the leaves falling from the oak trees. I think it's not quite a murmuration, but something akin to it. It's a magical thing as they rise and fall, and swoop and flee together. Until you said it, it didn't occur to me that they do that at least partly out of community safety. Interestingly, there son't seem to be red grackles or blue grackles. They seem to have agreed on their way of being in the world. I wonder if there are dissenters in their community? But I suppose there are communities of robins or blue jays which move in different directions. Somehow all the communities seem to be able to coexist without much more than some periodic squawking. I would like to come up with some profound insight to apply that to our human communities. Someday, maybe.
Magical is a good word for it, Darrell. I learned, from writing this piece, that murmurations are specific to European starlings, but of course there are many other critters who move in similar formation (schools of fish come to mind). Having had the opportunity for close study of a large-ish flock of chickens, there is a reason we use the expression "pecking order," and sometimes it's not at all fair or sustainable for the one at the bottom. I've read similar accounts for other species, primates at the top of the list. I guess the key difference is that, as far as we know, the treatment stems from something that isn't idealogical, and it's far less likely to happen in natural settings when there is no shortage of resources. That right there is key.
Great to have you weighing in today. Thanks!
I love the idea of fall being a time to let go of that which is no longer serving us.
A goal, anyway. I'm 100% sure I won't get to all of it! Intention is the main thing, right? Paying attention, taking stock. Here's hoping we both make time for that this season. Thanks for your thoughts, Roe.
You had me at "the tree canopies still swim like schools of green mackerel." And then took me along on an end-of-summer ride, feeling all the feelings that come with the transition from summer to fall. I felt heartened by the conclusion of the journey: "Let’s look after each other, eh?" A sentiment in the writing I shared this week, too, and one I'm seeing more and more out in the world. It gives me hope, in this time we all recognize as one of change but know (if we are paying much attention) that the nature of the change is uncertain and fraught. Perhaps at least part of the change will be a movement toward greater kindness and caring? So glad you got to have one of those kinds of walks with a friend. That's one of the best ways of looking after one another that I know.
I've not made time to read today's piece, Rita, but the title has me eager to do so. "Why we need help doesn't matter" -- yes, indeed! I think we are not alone in grabbing hold of any sources of hope we can find these days, and as you suggest, maybe that will be one thing good generated from the widespread turmoil.
This friend and I used to walk several times a week. Then life swooped in and took over, not to mention an Achilles tendon issue. I know you know about physical limitations (as do so many of us here). Still, the best kind of therapy.
Grateful for your engagement here, Rita. You always have such thoughtful comments.
As you lose your variety of fresh foods, I’m in Australia just seeing the first of the new season’s treasures. Fresh asparagus has just come in. Yay! It has become such a joy to plan recipes as new items appear at our local farmer’s market.
And oh yes in relation to reacting to comments by friends that don’t fit with our own view of the world. It is so hard to find just the right level of response that allows them to feel heard but still able to discuss the possibilities around what they’ve read. There’s so much misinformation these days and it’s so easy to spout something you’ve read but not thought through yet. A friend can so easily remind you of aspects you believe in that don’t fit with this new ‘story’. So complex.
Take care. And thanks.
Beth, hellooooo from way up here! Fresh asparagus is beyond compare. A dear farmer friend whom we lost in June of this year brought me the only asparagus I ate this spring--four enormous bunches of it that I should probably have shared but instead kept all for myself! 😊
I really appreciate you touching on the tension of interacting with friends whose views diverge from our own. I notice that I am far more tolerant of that, and willing to allow for greater openness, when I already have a relationship. Case in point, the farmer mentioned above. I'm holding onto your last line: "A friend can so easily remind you of aspects you believe in that don’t fit with this new ‘story’." Thank you!
Thank you for this.
I gave up feeding the birds and keeping chickens because I was breaking the bank feeding more rodents than birds. I was delighted to learn that there are now seed mixes and suet cakes with (I think) cayenne pepper, which mammals can taste and hate, but which birds don’t mind. I hope this is true, because I’d like to try.
We've never set up feeders because they seemed like traps when our three cats were still about. We are squirrel and rabbit heavy here; I wouldn't mind finding a way to attract fox!
Oooh, and look what turned up via a comment from Janice below: https://order.wbu.com/shop/bird-food/hot-pepper
Appreciate the comment. Please keep me posted if you learn more. :)
Bingo! My post for tomorrow opens with the exact same quote.
I do love the birdfeeders and must try to locate some similar ones locally. Since I've been putting seed out, I've started to count species which is thrilling.
Quote synergy - love it! Which bird feeder style do you prefer, Prue? As mentioned above in my comment to Nicole, we've only ever scattered seed in dishes and across table tops, fearing that feeders would just be a set-up for the cats. Now that they're gone, I'm rethinking. I recently came across someone's backyard bird count which seemed to indicate that most populations are on the rise. This was in NC. I hope it's true, though it seems improbable.
I just have open dishes - one XL terracotta which sits on the ground and one rusty-style metal dish with a little roof over it that hangs suspended in the Japanese maple. I'm now regularly visited by parrots, finches, honey eaters and wagtails, silver eyes, wild pigeons, sparrows and starlings. They all share beautifully. I've got no qualms about feeding them. The weather has been so harsh and galeforce that they deserve to have respite in the garden. I feed them commercial birdmixes from the supermarket but think its time to buy bulk (cheaper) and keep in a rubbish tin in the garden shed.
Ooh, your species are (not surprisingly) so different from ours. One of the things I loved most, actually, about my visit was meeting all the new bird friends. Here, I've learned recently that the "cheaper" seed mixes are mostly wasted, because our most frequent birds don't actually eat smaller seeds, like millet. I remember our cockatiel loving millet, though, so maybe it's different for parrot-types.
I love the fall also.... The fall quickly changed to an early winter last night in Western North Carolina with its first flakes of snow... I saw various pictures of snow-covered ground ..
but what disturbed me even more was the report of sub-freezing temps... So sad for the people of our state who have had to put up with all kinds of wrong data and now have to put up with early winter freezing temps... I guess fall looks good or or even great when the things are going well ...but certainly it couldn't look very exciting to those without heat and water...
I'm so sorry for the added struggle in western NC, Barry. It looks like it's going to be short-lived, thank heavens. One possible bright spot with the cold is that it will slow the spread of mold and mosquitoes which I imagine are huge issues in the aftermath of all the water. Still, it's true that I am privileged to even have the option to notice all that has come to me recently.
Always pleased to get a glimpse of your thoughts. Thanks for being here.
I realized today how much I miss my birdfeeder. Admittedly I chase those chirping flyers off my rig....sorry...
Do you know Wild Birds Unlimited stores from decades ago? Still around? My family tromped through Upstate NY snow to fill feeders and hang suet, know it helped our fellow creatures. My grandfather fed peanuts to chipmunks who eventually went straight into the front pocket of his flannel shirt.
Yes. Let's provide and not divide.
Happy October!
J
I don't remember them from my past, Janice, but they definitely still exist. Thanks for what looks to be a great resource. And gosh, what memories! The only tromping we did was around our suburban yard. Ha! Chupmunks are delightfully curious and terribly cute, though I'm sure an equal nuisance to squirrels in large numbers. For whatever reason, they only live west of the Bay. I suppose I should consider that a good thing! "Provide not divide." That right there is bumper sticker material. Thanks so much, Janice!
Oh yes, a delightful breast path!! What fun. And you should map that for others to follow and appreciate.
Ha -- smart idea! The Ta-ta Trail. 🤣
This line! “Officially, fall started weeks ago, but where I am the tree canopies still swim like schools of green mackerel. “ — How beautiful to take that “ground” (water) image and put it in the sky. Lovely. November is my favorite light, and we’re getting close, right. I love the suncatcher moment and the attention to the birds preparing to journey. Some of them overwinter? As we all navigate the tensions of these days, these are nice moments to stop, notice, and reflect. Your trail map is a riot.
Ah, thanks Amy, for always noticing so much detail. I wonder how your November light differs from mine, if it does. All of the birds mentioned in this post are here year round, though some of them go up in population as others join from places farther north. As you know, I am trying to spend more of my time in intentional reflection, so this week's observations have a relationship there.
Janice, above, suggested sharing that map with others who want to walk the breast path. Loved that idea!
p.s. Your first postcard is on its way at last. I hope it makes it through the bowels of the system. :)
What a beautiful, thoughtful love-letter to autumn, Elizabeth. Thank you.
Mmm....love letter. That's also delicious, and interestingly, I'd not really thought of it through that lens. Thank you for the way you see the world, Elizabeth.
“The tree canopies still swim like schools of green mackerel.” Lovely.
Appreciate you, Rona. 🌳
Let’s look after each other. That’s beautiful. Yes, let’s. 💕
Oh Elizabeth, such beautiful words and pictures throughout - this vigorous vignette of autumn has got me glowing from the inside. Loved this line especially - '...where I am the tree canopies still swim like schools of green mackerel.'
We feed our birds all the year round, and now that the weather is so very much cooler our hedgehogs are back to fatten up on dropped seeds and mealworms ready for hibernation. The middle two weeks of October are my favourite - the leaves are changing but are in the most part still attached - although the storms of the weekend have made their mark.
Hedgehogs! I only get to see them in pictures. They're SO cute! Appreciate your reflections, Rebecca. Always a delight.
They’re adorable! We think we have two - one of them has much longer tummy hair/bristles - we call that one ‘Skirty Gertie’, because she (he) looks as if she’s wearing a skirt! 🤣
And thank you so much for reading. xxx
🦔 < Skirty Gertie 🦔 < Gertie's pal
😊😊