It’s been a busy week for many of us. But for the birds in the salt marsh it’s been a cool and quiet week. Lots of hunching and huddling, rain and winds early in the week, then cool temperatures throughout.
Walking into the salt marsh the other day, however, I was in for a surprise pre-holiday sing-out. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a beautiful song performed flawlessly by a Northern Mockingbird.
Next, I approached Papa Osprey’s nest. Eyes half closed, and looking like an opera singer, Papa was singing his heart out! It was a long and beautiful song. The chorus repeated twice. I wish I understood the lyrics, but I have a suspicion that he was singing for Mama Osprey. “It’s almost Christmas…Darling come home!” Or something similar.
Nearby, a beautifully dressed Snowy Egret was singing too. The subject of his affection might have been a shy-looking lady on the other side of the water.
Little further out an Ibis was serenading…someone. I’m guessing it was one or all of the girls in a tree nearby.
Then I heard another Osprey calling. And singing. It proved to be Papa’s friend Steve. Maybe he was calling for Mrs. Steve, whom I haven’t had the pleasure to meet as yet? Or just getting into holiday spirit? I have no idea, but he was certainly participating in the sing-out wholeheartedly.
A slow warming trend has been promised for the weekend and into next week, so the birds have something to look forward to even before the holidays.
I hope your weekend will be warm – in the home and in the heart. ❤ Tiny
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
I sure miss the Mockingbirds. When I lived in the South, I always had some serenade me in the morning. A chorus of birds is a nice treat. ❤
It truly is a treat! Maybe they’ll sing some carols for the holidays 🙂 If they do, I promise to record a video just for you my friend. Hugs!
Oh that would be so cool. Thanks! ❤
And the prospect for a sing-along? 🙂
I’m sure it’d be okay, but their songs are a bit tricky to learn. I’ve heard PO’s song many times, I know how it goes, but just can’t get it right 🙂
Fantastic, fun, and festive post! thanks, Tiny.
Thanks Nancy! Pls let me know if your ride takes you this way one day, PO likes to meet new friends!
Thanks! Will do. I look forward to meeting PO one day . . . and you too!
Great! We have a great place for lunch on the “bayside” close to the park. That’s an invitation 🙂
Thanks, Tiny! I’ll shoot you an e-mail next time we plan to be up your way. And let us know if you want to visit the preserves by us ~ Robinson Preserve is across the street and Neal Preserve is next door.
And Anna Maria Island is just 2 miles down Manatee Avenue.
Will do, thanks!
how what a wonderful place! and fantastic photos too~
Thanks Cindy! I’m probably going back to see them tomorrow, and now my expectations are high for an Advent concert…
I hope the male ibis has a really sweet voice. I’m afraid only a mother could love that face. 🙂
I can’t honestly say he has a sweet voice, it’s actually quite raspy, but I’ve learned that, surprisingly, the ladies like his face…the more red, the better 🙂
That would be a great way to court – singing to our loved ones. Although my voice would probably scare them away . Another super themed post!
These little guys always court by singing, as you know, but I agree with you that many of us wouldn’t be too successful!
Gorgeous birds and fabulous pictures sweet Tiny. Wish I could have been there to enjoy all those beautiful songs with you. I truly love listening to birds sing. Hugs
Thank you Maggie! Some of the songs are really beautiful, like the Mockingbird’s and the long Osprey song, but some of the wading birds get more points for beauty and effort than their singing voice 🙂 Hugs and have a wonderful weekend!
I think I know the song, it goes like this:
So good to be singing in the salt marsh
sitting safe, happy warm and all so grand
far, far away where the north wind, so harsh
would freeze my arse off, up in Newfoundland 🙂
(PS–we here say ‘Newfoundland’ the same as you would pronounce ‘understand’; emphasis on last syllable. )
😀 Thanks for the lyrics, Maurice! The rhyme is perfect, not difficult to detect, where the emphasis should be. I can finally sing along!
I think I hear them singing the christmas carols Tiny!
That’s what I’m hoping for next time I go visit them!
Wonderful captures!
Thank you Hien!
Love the Snowy Egrets…. the other bird photos are great too… but I have a soft spot for the egrets…
My soft spot is for ospreys, but I love egrets too. They are so gracious, and even more so now that they have started to grow their plumes.
How lucky you are, Tiny, to have such glorious bird song like that to hear. Thank you SO much for sharing this post with us. These birds are so beautiful … I can only imagine how much more so when seeing them. Have a great weekend! Love, Amy
Thank you dear Amy! yes, I am grateful every day for all the natural beauty that surrounds us here. It is wonderful to be able to just go out for some exercise and see all the birds. Have a wonderful weekend, Amy! Love and hugs, Tiny
How wonderful! Wish there were an audio component here!
Maybe one day. I’ve experimented a little with video, but still long way to go before my snippets would be worth seeing…
Thank you for sharing these spectacular birdie photos with us! I just learned today that birds are not descendants of dinosaurs but dinosaurs with plenty right, so I admire and respect them even more! 🙂
Thank you Lily! The birds are quite something 🙂
Truly lovely photos. I am jealous of your talent…and the fact that Florida weather means you can slog through a swampy heat in the middle of December.
My best wishes for a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! With love Maxima
One of my philosophy professors said that humans are superior to other animals because we are the only ones who were capable of speaking and creating a language. I had to laugh. Things are communicating all around us, every day. Every bird song means something, every meow, bark, chirp,,,,, the list of the different languages in nature is endless. Sometimes my cats talk to each other with their eyes, without even making a sound . We are the ones who don’t understand!