Spring 74: Bad-A** Bird

6:10am – 6:40am,  parking lot of MA State Labs, Jamaica Plain, MA

clear, light breeze

It was one of those mornings – as soon as I stepped out of my front door, I heard a bird who would not be denied.

I followed his persistent song to the parking lot of the state labs,  and the front of the building. This was a smart bird – his song was getting amplified like crazy off the concrete walls of a little cove between two building outcroppings.

When I spotted him on top of the eight-story building, perched imperiously on the top corner of the roof, I was impressed by his machismo.  This guy must get all the ladies – he has the highest perch for miles around, and he sounds incredible. So virile and strong, with that amplified song! I can just see the lady robins swooning.

Plus, he’s a great singer. I liked the little rapidly descending glissando in this call:

Good thing  it’s Sunday. For one, the passing traffic noise is minimal. For another, I was less worried about appearing to be a security threat as I circled the corner of the labs and scrutinized its upper floors with binoculars. It’s a funny thing to do, and I realize (not for the first time) that I’m turning into a weird bird person…