When we lived in NH, we often heard the mournful vocalizations of the loon. It is a sound that you never forget; it is a sound that I miss. The only sound that I can compare it to is of coyotes howling in the middle of the night, which I heard years ago when we lived near a forest park. I would imagine wolves calling would be equally thrilling to hear.
It is indeed a mournful sound. It made sense when I learned they use it to find each other. Coyotes are also mournful. It’s hard not to imagine these creatures are mourning what humanity has done to their world.
I’ve never been fortunate to hear the wolves howling, but have heard plenty of coyotes. At times franticly yapping: “what have these people done to our home?”
Yep; same here. Lots of coyotes, often nightly at 3 am. I got close to a coyote once, but he ambled off. It was exciting. One day I hope to hear the call of wolves.
As a youthful noisemaker I learned to whistle through my hands, knowing nothing of loons. At eleven yo, a vacation to Lake Kipawa in southern Quebec finally introduced me to common loons. I was able to call them to our boats!
Your array of beautiful sounding birds, James, brought back memories of seeing many of them while growing up in NW Pennsylvania. My dad was an avid outdoorsman so my brother & I spent much time in the woods and on trout streams. Seeing Nightjars on dirt roads near farmland at dusk was a special memory for me of that time in my life. Again, James, I’m grateful to you for your dedication and expertise.
Thank you Gary. Sounds like you have had some excellent bird experiences! Calling loons to your boat must have been otherworldly. Nightjars at dusk are a unique thing!
I enjoyed reading this photo essay and listening to some of those bird calls. Really awesome images, James. That Hermit Thrush has an amazing projection of their call. I have only had fleeting glimpses of them over the years and have yet to get a decent image like yours of the Hermit Thrush.
Thank you Neil! They do project incredibly. This was by far the best look I've had at one--it was so cooperative that it took a little to believe it wasn't a robin. With the frequency and attention you bring to hikes, I'm certain a Hermit Thrush photo and corresponding Sijo will not be far off!
That wood thrush song will stop me in my tracks most every time .. a silver flute being played from somewhere in the forest canopy. I love winter in Michigan but for the absence of wood thrush, veery, red-winged blackbirds.
I've heard a Hermit Thrush a few times, but I haven't seen one. Maybe I saw one and assumed it was a Robin! I miss Loons, they were a delight to see (and hear) in Minnesota.
I'm not sure what sorcery you used to get that kinglet shot, but please send some my way. Beautiful images, all. It was a good fall for Hermit Thrushes in my neck. Congrats on getting a photo!
That kinglet was so unusually cooperative. I have so many photos of him flitting about, putting on a show for me. Patience and luck. Thank you for the kind feedback on the photos! Glad to hear it was a good Hermit Thrush fall for you
In Birding to Change the World (Trish O'Kane), I read that Veeries can predict difficult hurricane seasons. They seem to be more attuned to barometric pressure than other birds. Trish called that their superpower. I think that is a more reasonable description than the study I read. The poor Veeries were strapped with backpacks.
I have a Hermit Thrush that seems to have taken up residence as I have heard him every morning for the last couple of weeks. You can count me amongst those that consider the thrushes to have the most beautiful songs!
Thank you James. My mom would get so excited to hear them singing. Driving through the Refuge with her in a 60's is a favorite memory. She knew all the birds and their songs.
When we lived in NH, we often heard the mournful vocalizations of the loon. It is a sound that you never forget; it is a sound that I miss. The only sound that I can compare it to is of coyotes howling in the middle of the night, which I heard years ago when we lived near a forest park. I would imagine wolves calling would be equally thrilling to hear.
It is indeed a mournful sound. It made sense when I learned they use it to find each other. Coyotes are also mournful. It’s hard not to imagine these creatures are mourning what humanity has done to their world.
This is a good way of putting it; and the wolves, too.
I’ve never been fortunate to hear the wolves howling, but have heard plenty of coyotes. At times franticly yapping: “what have these people done to our home?”
Yep; same here. Lots of coyotes, often nightly at 3 am. I got close to a coyote once, but he ambled off. It was exciting. One day I hope to hear the call of wolves.
Such a beautiful song the hermit thrush has! Thanks for sharing it.
As always, your photos are a pleasure for my eyes. You must be part bird whisperer to see all of these, and to catch so many with their beaks open💕
Thank you Teyani! I can’t claim any bird whispering abilities, I just get lucky sometimes
As a youthful noisemaker I learned to whistle through my hands, knowing nothing of loons. At eleven yo, a vacation to Lake Kipawa in southern Quebec finally introduced me to common loons. I was able to call them to our boats!
Your array of beautiful sounding birds, James, brought back memories of seeing many of them while growing up in NW Pennsylvania. My dad was an avid outdoorsman so my brother & I spent much time in the woods and on trout streams. Seeing Nightjars on dirt roads near farmland at dusk was a special memory for me of that time in my life. Again, James, I’m grateful to you for your dedication and expertise.
Thank you Gary. Sounds like you have had some excellent bird experiences! Calling loons to your boat must have been otherworldly. Nightjars at dusk are a unique thing!
I enjoyed reading this photo essay and listening to some of those bird calls. Really awesome images, James. That Hermit Thrush has an amazing projection of their call. I have only had fleeting glimpses of them over the years and have yet to get a decent image like yours of the Hermit Thrush.
Thank you Neil! They do project incredibly. This was by far the best look I've had at one--it was so cooperative that it took a little to believe it wasn't a robin. With the frequency and attention you bring to hikes, I'm certain a Hermit Thrush photo and corresponding Sijo will not be far off!
That wood thrush song will stop me in my tracks most every time .. a silver flute being played from somewhere in the forest canopy. I love winter in Michigan but for the absence of wood thrush, veery, red-winged blackbirds.
Yes, certain birdsong becomes synonymous with certain seasons—and make it sad to see seasons change
Beautiful👌 Which lens did you use?
Thank you. For birds I started out with sigma 150-600 but now upgraded to a Nikon 180-600
Beautiful series here, James. The voices and songs of birds take us places we would otherwise never know.
Thank you for reading and commenting Heidi! I hope you enjoy when the birds serenade you with their songs
Absolutely. I love to sing and they are the best teachers.
I've heard a Hermit Thrush a few times, but I haven't seen one. Maybe I saw one and assumed it was a Robin! I miss Loons, they were a delight to see (and hear) in Minnesota.
Loons are delightful, truly no sound like a loon. Maybe you did see a Hermit Thrush! Thank you for reading and commenting
I'm not sure what sorcery you used to get that kinglet shot, but please send some my way. Beautiful images, all. It was a good fall for Hermit Thrushes in my neck. Congrats on getting a photo!
That kinglet was so unusually cooperative. I have so many photos of him flitting about, putting on a show for me. Patience and luck. Thank you for the kind feedback on the photos! Glad to hear it was a good Hermit Thrush fall for you
Lovely words and photos. I enjoyed the video of the Hermit Thrush. Our thrushes in the UK are wonderful singers too.
Thank you Juliet. Birdsong’s beauty transcends borders.
In Birding to Change the World (Trish O'Kane), I read that Veeries can predict difficult hurricane seasons. They seem to be more attuned to barometric pressure than other birds. Trish called that their superpower. I think that is a more reasonable description than the study I read. The poor Veeries were strapped with backpacks.
Thanks for your work, James. always.
I didn’t know that about Veeries! That is very interesting and cool. Birds are beautiful to look at, to listen to, and fascinating to learn about.
Yes, their intelligence is remarkable 👍🏽
I have a Hermit Thrush that seems to have taken up residence as I have heard him every morning for the last couple of weeks. You can count me amongst those that consider the thrushes to have the most beautiful songs!
That's a lucky neighbor to have! Absolutely a beautiful song, so unique. I hope you've gotten a good look at the bird!
Yes!
I love the thrush songs. They always remind me of my mom. They were her favorites.
That’s a great connotation for these wonderful birds.
Thank you James. My mom would get so excited to hear them singing. Driving through the Refuge with her in a 60's is a favorite memory. She knew all the birds and their songs.