The Varied Thrush

UPDATE *** I caught him with my telephoto lens this morning. Isn't he a beauty? 3/17/07


I have lived in this valley for 35 years and this is the first winter I have seen a resident Varied Thrush.

There have been two that I've spotted high in the towering old deciduous trees on our street. I watch them through my binoculars. Recently one has breakfasted amongst the numerous Junco's that hop around the base of my bird feeders. The hubby and I are unable to get a picture because it is so shy and detects any movement at the patio door.

This morning I heard it's song.

At first I thought someone was blowing on a damaged whistle. The sound was so breathy and mournful. I walked out into the early light and saw it sitting in a tree that hangs over our fence line.

My hope was that he was calling to other Varied Thrush to come and join him. The most beautiful songs are likely part of the mating attraction, or warning off other suitors from a claimed territory.

I prefer to think he was sharing his joy.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Tweedle Dee...Tweedle Dee ! Swampwitch wishing you a wonderful Green Weekend.
9:01 AM, March 16, 2007
Anonymous said…
I've been noticing a lot more birds stopping by the tree outside my window, to pause and sing a little song. The cats have been noticing too, but I don't think they're paying so much attention to the singing as they are to the singer.
9:23 AM, March 16, 2007
Anonymous said…
I heard a bird singing last week and I had never in my life heard that bird call before. I looked for the bird to get a picture but I couldn't find where he was.

I thought of you.

I remember once when I was 11 the tree across the street from my house filled up with tiny yellow birds. It was in the spring time. Never happend again since. Beautiful.
9:23 AM, March 16, 2007
Anonymous said…
I can hear the birds right now! I don't know what kind of birds they are, much like I never picked up my mom's knowledge of trees and flowers and plants...but I enjoy it all just the same!
10:01 AM, March 16, 2007
Anonymous said…
The birds at my house are being vicious with each other right now - especially the pine siskins. So mean to the other birds (even the juncos avoid them).

I haven't had a thrush here. They are so elusive.
12:41 PM, March 16, 2007
Debs said…
I love the songs of the birds around here. I have my "red" birds completely stitched up and on my blog.

For the comment you made about my PJ post on the blog, the ONLY way I will have a small butt is to stitch a tiny one. *LOL*

Enjoy reading your blog!! :)
4:27 PM, March 16, 2007
Susie said…
We haven't had too large a variety at our feeders (finches, junkos and doves) We have hummingbirds year round, but I love it when a different one shows up!
:)
4:54 PM, March 16, 2007
Kila said…
How fun to have new neighbors :)
5:17 PM, March 16, 2007
Anonymous said…
They are pretty birds. Too bad you didn't have a way to sneak out without the bird hearing you to take a picture.
5:17 PM, March 16, 2007
Gattina said…
They are very pretty ! I have never seen such here in Belgium. Indeed I learn a lot about birds here in Blogworld, the last bird came from Australia from a blogfriend.
Look at it, it's worthwhile !

http://www.hotkey.net.au/~perrelink/Kookaburra.htm


and comment later, if you don't have a broken arm.
8:37 PM, March 16, 2007
Anonymous said…
aww how very sweet. You have such a way with words.
9:29 PM, March 16, 2007
Gwen said…
Hi Pamela..
The thrush are loverly,and I thank you for your visit.
5:18 AM, March 17, 2007
Claudia said…
That's one of my favorite things..hearing the birds singing...I'm not good at identifying but I love to hear it.
9:44 AM, March 17, 2007
Mary said…
Very pretty! I love the sound of birds in the morning...
that and wind in the trees.
5:45 PM, March 17, 2007
Biker Betty said…
I love bird watching and have a great bird book of Colorado that has indexed the birds by color. This makes looking up an unknown bird a breeze. I saw my first robins of the season this last friday. Spring is almost here. Yea!!!!
9:34 PM, March 17, 2007
Claudia said…
that is a great picture!!!
10:08 AM, March 18, 2007
Anonymous said…
wow! how gorgeous! and how lucky are you to get a photo too!!!
5:37 AM, March 19, 2007
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