Winter #21: Turn

March 1, 2011
6:20am-7:00am, Peters Hill, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, MA
very windy, mostly clear, low bank of clouds on the horizon


Happy March!
It's clear this morning and it's March, which make me feel hopeful.

There is a lot to feel hopeful about, and I am savoring this sensation after a powerful evening of transformative art at Theatre of War last night. (For Bostonians: One more performance/round-table at the A.R.T. next Monday, 3/7, do not miss it)

I realized that when I'm inspired, it's easy to get up, even after little sleep. Three cheers for hope and inspiration!

I resolve to be more patient, and kind, and to not be annoyed that there are no new birds or songs today, because, hey (!), I've never heard this call before:


...though I suspect it's a familiar bird in an unfamiliar guise.


Feb 28, 2011
6:55-7:30am, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, MA
wintry mix

Lots to note today:
1) A certain depth/wetness of snow makes for a very satisfying, slightly sticky crunch (wacky jay behind it!)

2) The relative quiet of wet weather can instantly transform into busy bird conversations when the rain/snow lets up. I call the repeated high trill my Bird of the Day (or metronome!)


3) Everyone struggles: I watched a fat fat mockingbird (?) struggling to keep its balance on a thin thin bush branch while it reached for a berry. Cute!

4) Learning is a slow process, as evidenced in today's repeat lesson: Never turn off the recorder till you get home, or you might miss the most unusual birdcall of the morning. It might have been a novice or experimental blue jay, but I'd never heard anything like it.

Here is my version, for lack of a field documentation: