the life of birds
Before we wrap up our series on wild birds with one last post on our unofficial mascot Spoggy the sparrow, I'd be remiss not to pass along one of the most wide-ranging and engrossing resources I've come across on the subject. I'll be forever grateful to my cousin Ben Aldridge for exposing me to The Life of Birds, a BBC television series narrated by the always engaging David Attenborough.
The series is made up of ten 50-minute episodes (which you can watch for free on YouTube), each of which examines primarily wild birds by a different theme: the mystery of flight, diets, communication, mating and birthing, and more. The range of birds portrayed in terms of location, size, coloring and personality is staggering, and infinitely captivating.
I wish I could remember more specifics than I do; I guess I'll just have to watch the set again in the near future! But here's a clip from perhaps my favorite episode on communication, featuring the head-shaking mimicking capacities of the lyre bird:
Ironically, I happened to read Psalm 104 today, "The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. ... There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees." The Psalmist also writes, "How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures" (vs 12, 17, 24, NIV).
A while back, Jonathan Samuelson pointed me to a poem by William Everson, which mirrors Psalm 104 and the avian wonders on display in The Life of Birds, and with unmatched literary and theological poignancy. It would be hard to imagine a better picture of God's relationship with His winged creatures. The entire poem is worth a tribute post of its own, including the resounding climax, but here are just a few phrases from "A Canticle to the Waterbirds" (The Veritable Years: Poems 1949-1966, Black Sparrow '98):
Clack your beaks you cormorants and kittiwakes, ...
You migratory terns and pipers who leave but the temporal clawtrack written on sandbars there of your presence;
... For you hold the heart of His mighty fastnesses,
And shape the life of His indeterminate realms.
You are everywhere on the lonesome shores of His wide creation.
You keep seclusion where no man may go, giving Him praise;
(dvd released by BBC Video in 2002)
February 8, 2010
Reader Comments (5)
I read Psalm 104 for my devotion this morning! It's always so refreshing to my soul!
Thanks for the note, Lauren, Psalm 104 really stood out to me yesterday, and when I was working on my capstone project as well - Ben
What an unbelievable bird the lyre is! I was amazed. Who wouldn't want this guy for a husband?? He'd sure be a lot of laughs! : ) The poem by William Everson was also very beautiful. (I read the whole thing.) Thanks for the rich posting, Ben!
G'day dear Ben
Spoggy the Sparrow thought you may like to know that we currently have a welcome swallow fledgling that has been injured. There are videos of the bird on Spoggys FB and we would really be grateful for prayers for 'Sally' the Welcome Swallow'. It fledged and on its first night out, an owl took one of its siblings and this one injured a wing getting away - its life was saved by Spoggys Nanna (the same amazing woman who saved him). I feared it was broken but it appears now (and my Mentors seem to agree) that it is only bruised. We feel confident it will get better but time is of the essence. The swallows are grouping up to migrate (hundreds of miles) and this was a late nest as it was. If it cannot fly well very soon, it will be left behind. We will then have to make a decision of what we can do but I can assure you, it will be given a home, no matter what.
With love and light to you all
Susan (Spoggys Mum) and Spoggy the Sparrow
PS - there are about 20 mini videos of Spoggy on his FB page, many of them are not on YT -- I think the one entitled 'Pardon me' - will amaze many of you for it is obvious that Spoggy is talking with me. :-)
Thanks, mom, and for news about Sally the swallow, Susan. I certainly have said a prayer for her, and hope very much she recovers completely. You are such a kind soul, and I look forward to getting an update up about Spoggy! - Ben