greetings from just over the Montopolis bridge. I recently saw a local bridge raven for the first time and was just stunned by how large they were. Brimming with intelligence and confidence. We are lucky to have them 🐦⬛
Indeed! I was very stoked to see them, and again a few days later. I imagine they must have nested in or near the sanctuary, so hopefully there will be more. Thanks for reading!
This brought me so much joy and transported me to Texas in the most visceral way. Just what I needed. Thank you for your incredible eye for nature and voice on the page.
The migration is happening and birds returning to Wisconsin. Walked out my door this morning to see a mallard sitting on the roof of my neighbor's house. Loved reading about how birds outsmart us.
Have been exploring another urban edgeland- Brays Bayou in Houston, from the famed medical center to its outlet in the Houston Ship Channel. The whistling ducks, cormorants, and herons do the best they can there too. Despite the surprising wonder of that, I find myself longing to be close to somewhere undisturbed , like a tallgrass prairie; though I realize my own presence there, and the road that brings me there, means its undisturbed no longer.
I remember walking out of some corporate hotel down there one morning on a business trip and seeing the migratory ducks flying over a concrete channel of Brays Bayou at dawn and thinking how even that place has its beauty. I'm afraid I'm not sure I really believe in the idea of the undisturbed place—though I've been to some extreme locations that come close.
I've been thinking about the herons ever since our hike, Chris. Even though I had read about the boutique hotel being planning on that tiny sliver of land adjacent to the river and the majestic sycamore tower of great blue heron nests, when I stood there training my new binocs on it and communing mentally with my spirit bird, the reality did not sink in. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I'm tempted to say I hate the idea, but can you safely "hate" the inevitable future? I guess not. Your phrase around "frisson of folk horror" is on the money. You've given us another spiky Easter basket this morning and I appreciate it. Is the 2024 Easter Energizer Bunny powered by Tesla?
Yeah, one of the things about learning to find these interstitial pockets of fertility where wild birds and other animals make home in the city is that, as soon as you find them, you realize how threatened they are by what's coming. It fills every experience with anticipatory loss, and perhaps a certain resignation to enjoy the long now. Thanks for the company Friday!
greetings from just over the Montopolis bridge. I recently saw a local bridge raven for the first time and was just stunned by how large they were. Brimming with intelligence and confidence. We are lucky to have them 🐦⬛
Indeed! I was very stoked to see them, and again a few days later. I imagine they must have nested in or near the sanctuary, so hopefully there will be more. Thanks for reading!
thank you for your writing! I look forward to reading it each Sunday.
This brought me so much joy and transported me to Texas in the most visceral way. Just what I needed. Thank you for your incredible eye for nature and voice on the page.
Thank you! 🙏
I love seeing these nests! Thanks for sharing them
Thank you!
The migration is happening and birds returning to Wisconsin. Walked out my door this morning to see a mallard sitting on the roof of my neighbor's house. Loved reading about how birds outsmart us.
Wisconsin is such a beautiful place! Thanks for reading, and enjoy your springtime.
That magpie best is extraordinary. I love this post, as I do all your others, for reminding me of the sheer resilience and intelligence of nature.
Thank you! The linked paper is quite remarkable.
Have been exploring another urban edgeland- Brays Bayou in Houston, from the famed medical center to its outlet in the Houston Ship Channel. The whistling ducks, cormorants, and herons do the best they can there too. Despite the surprising wonder of that, I find myself longing to be close to somewhere undisturbed , like a tallgrass prairie; though I realize my own presence there, and the road that brings me there, means its undisturbed no longer.
I remember walking out of some corporate hotel down there one morning on a business trip and seeing the migratory ducks flying over a concrete channel of Brays Bayou at dawn and thinking how even that place has its beauty. I'm afraid I'm not sure I really believe in the idea of the undisturbed place—though I've been to some extreme locations that come close.
I've been thinking about the herons ever since our hike, Chris. Even though I had read about the boutique hotel being planning on that tiny sliver of land adjacent to the river and the majestic sycamore tower of great blue heron nests, when I stood there training my new binocs on it and communing mentally with my spirit bird, the reality did not sink in. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I'm tempted to say I hate the idea, but can you safely "hate" the inevitable future? I guess not. Your phrase around "frisson of folk horror" is on the money. You've given us another spiky Easter basket this morning and I appreciate it. Is the 2024 Easter Energizer Bunny powered by Tesla?
Yeah, one of the things about learning to find these interstitial pockets of fertility where wild birds and other animals make home in the city is that, as soon as you find them, you realize how threatened they are by what's coming. It fills every experience with anticipatory loss, and perhaps a certain resignation to enjoy the long now. Thanks for the company Friday!
and lovely photos as well, thanks
Thank you!