The Mockingbird is the Tennessee state bird. It is also an interesting, intelligent creature that can imitate any number of things it has heard in its songs, hence the name. When I was teaching in the portable classroom, there was a mockingbird on top of a light pole out there every morning as I arrived except in the direst of weather, most of the year, saluting the sun with brilliant song. It was an uplifting sight. It even did a jumping, flying dance in the spring. Sometimes when two birds meet, it can be hard to tell whether they are courting or getting ready to fight- they do a bit of a stylized dance. In the air, they can be miniature fighter jets, bombing for the eyes of any cat in the open when their young are fledging. The cats stay under the bushes or the eaves of the house for safety.
Tonight the mockingbirds were singing to the dusk as we were walking home from the cafe. One sounded like it had picked up a few tunes from the zoo. I've heard one imitate a car alarm with startling fidelity. They are fun birds.
Imagine if you will a cobalt dusk evening, the air redolent of sweet flowering trees, petals against the darkening sky, the birds singing, and your loved one nearby. Does it get any better? Praise God for the good things in life.
No comments:
Post a Comment