Migration

Woke up to a beautiful sunny fall morning. Walking to work -- heard migrating birds all around me, reminding me of the mystery and abundance of life all around.

I heard a White-breasted nuthatch in this tree, a White Throated Sparrow somewhere nearby. Earlier I heard the chip note of a Hermit Thrush and saw the movement of the Virginia Creeper as it ate berries.

It gives me such an intense thrill of pleasure when I recognize a new bird sound and notice something I've seen a thousand times before and fit it into a new pattern of understanding.

I love knowing that the robins and crows and gulls I see flying around are not the same birds that bred here but are birds moving through on their migration to some unknown destination.

I love knowing that the flocks of sparrows and starlings are year round residents and are mostly young birds experiencing their first winter.

I love walking in the city and being connected to the nature around me.