We Just Have to Not Kill the Warblers

Yes, Even When They're Irritating

This is going to be a quick one because I’ve got my family in town, but I did just want to make a note of the fact that the birds have something to *say*. They are *communicating*. They are *kvetching*. I have no idea what they are saying, but they are saying *something*.

I kind of suspect that they have been riding the breeze with each other up from Mexico or Florida or wherever for a few weeks now and they are dead tired of the warblers being such show-offs and the red-winged blackbirds being really unnecessarily screechy and basically they’re over it and ready to get to New Jersey or New Brunswick or wherever as long as it’s new and doesn’t involve 57 other species all traveling the same way together.

It’s either that, or they’re loud because they’re building a nest together, and they’ve got a lot of coordinating to do, I guess, a lot of “good job with that stick selection honey!” or alternately, “What are these fish you’re catching, tadpoles? Get out there and catch fish like a real osprey!”

You might remember the osprey nest I discovered in a burnt-out light near a football field. I’ve returned a few times now. I do think some of the noises are probably for me – I think they know that I’m there, that I’m checking them out, so they come check me out.

After checking me out, they calm down a little, go back to building a nest, taking care of business.

Burnt Out Lights

Building the Nest

Liftoff 1 & 2

Osprey at Dusk

Of course, all my guesses about what the birds are saying have way more to do with me than with the birds. If I think they’re cranky and impatient with each other, it’s because I’m cranky and impatient.

We’ve traveled a long, difficult road together, and we’re still on that road, our fates still uncomfortably stuck together, though the fabled lands of New Jersey or New Brunswick may finally glimmer off in the distance like Oz’s tallest spire. We just have to get there. We just have to not kill the warblers. We just have to find a little more patience.

And on that note, let me introduce you – if you are not already familiar with -- Iggy Pop and his parrot.

Joseph Massey @jmasseypoet

I’m spending my morning watching this video of Iggy Pop and his bird over and over and over again.

I always find this video sublimely relaxing, and I hope you will too. Have a great week!