Beloved of children, bards and spring,
O birds, your prefect virtues bring,–
Your song, your forms, your rhythmic flight,
Your manners for the heart’s delight;
Nestle in hedge, or barn, or roof;
Here weave your chamber weather-proof.
Forgive our harms and condescend
To man, as to a lubber friend,
And, generous, teach his awkward race
Courage and probity and grace!
–Ralph Waldo Emerson, Birds, 1867
I was surprised to find this robin nesting right under my nose and wonder how many times I walked by without noticing her there. The babies have since fledged and I hear them begging to be fed from the low shrubs around the yard. I often see one of them in the vegetable garden, where the dirt is moist and full of worms.
Thanks for sharing the wonderful poem and photo. Although the robin is such an everyday bird, it has always been among my favorites.
We have a robin nesting in our oaktree…I love to hear them sing
Isn’t it amazing how often we overlook our bird neighbors as we go about our busy lives? We had a brood of robins in the shrubbery in our front yard this weekend. I never did see them, but couldn’t help but hear them and the adults as I entered and exited the house. Here’s hoping that they manage to escape the claws of the neighborhood cats!
John: Thanks for stopping by. Don’t get me started on the neighborhood cats!