Jesse, thank you for this beautiful essay. I work in Concord, and I love reading about your love for the town, and Henry. I’m enjoying your essays so much. The Merlin app gives me so much pleasure, learning the names of the birds singing in my yard! Peter Alden’s Field Guide to New England is always on my desk. 💕🐦⬛
I work at the Museum (Henry’s desk is my favorite object ). I don’t belong to the TS, but I love when the members come to town for the gathering! If you have time to pop into the museum that week, I’d love to say hello!
I'm so glad that you got to see Flaco - what a special moment! Owls are so magical! I was so sad to learn that he died. And what a special moment to rescue the starling in your chimney, and then the wee warbler, too (I think that's what it was.) I, too, love birds; they have always been a joy to watch at my feeders and to listen to their songs. I always keep a bird book and binoculars handy. My acre of the world is busy with the variety of birds; every spring is not complete until I hear the bobolink burbling in the open fields around our house. I've held many birds that have knocked into a window and stunned themselves and rescued them from our shed when they've become confused about how to get out and grieved when I've found one dead. There was one time, a red-tailed hawk attacked a young crow in our driveway. I was sitting by the window when it happened, and I ran outside yelling, "Oh no you're not, not while I'm looking!" The hawk flew away, and the young crow flew off with his mother to the pine trees, thankfully, he seemed unharmed! Meanwhile, every blue jay, crow, starling, and grackle in the neighborhood chased that hawk away! I don't want to deprive the hawk of a meal, but I couldn't let him take that young crow. I have watched that little family raise their baby, and how much fuss they made of him. He learned to be more careful. I have taken note that no birds ever poop on our vehicles, because I'm the nice lady who feeds them!
Wowww I really loved reading this. I would like to read these updates from you more regularly!! Thank you so so much for sharing. It's so wonderful how you save the young crow. :) I love that all the birds gathered together to chase the hawk away!! Bird solidarity. So great. Thank you!!
So many things to comment on here but again I will try to embrace brevity:) I am actually typing this with my bird (Rico, a maroon bellied conure) perched atop my head making sure I get to the point! I love that you got a pic of Flaco that day, I am happy that even though I didn't see him while I was there, he was above me somewhere! His story is indeed a sad one but at least he had freedom in his final year. Though that is little compensation. I too used to draw birds for a period in my life (early teens) and had a giant sketchpad of drawings. The fact that you captured the release of that little bird on video is also great to watch! I have a friend in the UK who opened an animal sanctuary of sorts and saved a young sparrow who used to come back and visit regularly after its release -primarily for food:) However, back to Flaco, there is a campaign set up to put up a statue in Central Park in his honor collecting signatures. Here is the link for everyone to sign https://www.change.org/p/erect-a-statue-in-central-park-honoring-flaco-the-escaped-eurasian-eagle-owl
You don't have to embrace brevity!! Only if/when you want to!! :)) I want to see photos of Rico!!! It must be so incredible to cohabitate with a bird friend!! I can't even imagine. And I love how you said, even though you didn't see Flaco, you were happy that he was above you somewhere. :) So beautiful and sad and sweet. I also would love to see your bird drawings!! SOO exciting about the potential Flaco statue in the park. We have to all sig the petition!! Thank you so much for sharing that. I'll send around to everyone!!! I know this is just the tip of the iceberg of what you want to share so I look forward to more!!
So beautiful, Jesse. I am always taken aback by the breadth of your knowledge and the many things you write about so beautifully. As I read, I simultaneously hear your sweet and tender voice speaking them as well. This story about Flaco, birds in general, and people as well, touched my heart. I am a believer that the simple things in life are often its greatest treasures. As we live on the marsh of the Raritan Bay, we are privileged to see a myriad of birds every day, from majestic eagles and osprey, to colorful blue herons, and breathtaking stately white egrets. We’re truly blessed to live adjacent to this majestic refuge. Thank you for once again sharing so generously.
I literally read about Flaco just last week. I was so happy to read he had acclimated well to NYC. Now I read humans untethered his cage and he is dead. Now I too am terribly sad. Thank you for your beautiful post on Flaco who did not deserve to die in this manner. I had hoped he would grow to be old. I am sorry Jesse you won't see him again. I feel sad now too. Humans...
your delightful spirit shines through every word you write Jesse... even in sadness. thank you for these poignant, yet life affirming stories... and the triumph of the little green bird visitation.
I too love birds. Imagine being able to fly! My partner and l take bird food wherever we go and feed the birds. We also put food and fresh water every day on our roof where we have fed a Crow family for over 10 years (Jays, Magpies and Squirrels also visit).
I read with great sadness about Falco, Owls are really beautiful and here in London we also lose many birds due to high buildings and how wonderful you saw him. Magical 🙏
Thank you for saving the young Starling we have people here that also come out to rescue birds in distress. They are good people.
I find seeing nature and watching birds very meditative and helps me forget the sorrows of the world. Thank you Jesse for such a lovely post 🙏
This is all so beautiful. I love how we are connected through birds from NYC to London, like they are flying in the sky to send messages between us. Thank you so much :))
Down by the water, Seagulls, Pelicans, Pigeons, Blue Herons, Black-Crowned Night Herons, Grebes, Cormorants. Closer to home (five minutes from the Bay), Crows, Blue Jays, Finches, Starlings, Robins, all manner of Sparrows, Ravens, Spotted Towhees, Cedar Waxwings, occasionally an owl, Hawks, and something unidentified whose song sounds like - no kidding - Volare! To name just some of the amazing variety of birds here. They are a constant source of joy.
Ohhh wow. That's so great. Mourning Doves remind me so much of childhood, the sound of them makes me so emotional and nostalgic every time. <3 So surreal like being transported instantly. I really love and cherish it, even in the bittersweetness of it all.
Pinning this petition that Lee Penman brought to our attention. Sign on to support a statue of Flaco in Central Park! <3
https://www.change.org/p/erect-a-statue-in-central-park-honoring-flaco-the-escaped-eurasian-eagle-owl
Educational, emotional - exceptional. Thank you Jesse.
It was do lovely to read this poignant essay and to learn so much from it.
Cedar Waxwings frolicking in the pine tree in our backyard. Undeterred by the stormy weather. https://share.icloud.com/photos/0d0J10UcBSXyM9lzl1HBrtO9g
Jesse, thank you for this beautiful essay. I work in Concord, and I love reading about your love for the town, and Henry. I’m enjoying your essays so much. The Merlin app gives me so much pleasure, learning the names of the birds singing in my yard! Peter Alden’s Field Guide to New England is always on my desk. 💕🐦⬛
Ohhh wow, I love that you are in Concord, that makes me so happy. Do you go to the TS annual gathering?? Maybe I will see you in July!!
I work at the Museum (Henry’s desk is my favorite object ). I don’t belong to the TS, but I love when the members come to town for the gathering! If you have time to pop into the museum that week, I’d love to say hello!
I'm so glad that you got to see Flaco - what a special moment! Owls are so magical! I was so sad to learn that he died. And what a special moment to rescue the starling in your chimney, and then the wee warbler, too (I think that's what it was.) I, too, love birds; they have always been a joy to watch at my feeders and to listen to their songs. I always keep a bird book and binoculars handy. My acre of the world is busy with the variety of birds; every spring is not complete until I hear the bobolink burbling in the open fields around our house. I've held many birds that have knocked into a window and stunned themselves and rescued them from our shed when they've become confused about how to get out and grieved when I've found one dead. There was one time, a red-tailed hawk attacked a young crow in our driveway. I was sitting by the window when it happened, and I ran outside yelling, "Oh no you're not, not while I'm looking!" The hawk flew away, and the young crow flew off with his mother to the pine trees, thankfully, he seemed unharmed! Meanwhile, every blue jay, crow, starling, and grackle in the neighborhood chased that hawk away! I don't want to deprive the hawk of a meal, but I couldn't let him take that young crow. I have watched that little family raise their baby, and how much fuss they made of him. He learned to be more careful. I have taken note that no birds ever poop on our vehicles, because I'm the nice lady who feeds them!
Wowww I really loved reading this. I would like to read these updates from you more regularly!! Thank you so so much for sharing. It's so wonderful how you save the young crow. :) I love that all the birds gathered together to chase the hawk away!! Bird solidarity. So great. Thank you!!
Yes, exactly: flowers for everyone :)
So many things to comment on here but again I will try to embrace brevity:) I am actually typing this with my bird (Rico, a maroon bellied conure) perched atop my head making sure I get to the point! I love that you got a pic of Flaco that day, I am happy that even though I didn't see him while I was there, he was above me somewhere! His story is indeed a sad one but at least he had freedom in his final year. Though that is little compensation. I too used to draw birds for a period in my life (early teens) and had a giant sketchpad of drawings. The fact that you captured the release of that little bird on video is also great to watch! I have a friend in the UK who opened an animal sanctuary of sorts and saved a young sparrow who used to come back and visit regularly after its release -primarily for food:) However, back to Flaco, there is a campaign set up to put up a statue in Central Park in his honor collecting signatures. Here is the link for everyone to sign https://www.change.org/p/erect-a-statue-in-central-park-honoring-flaco-the-escaped-eurasian-eagle-owl
Just signed the petition and started sharing!! Thank you!!
You don't have to embrace brevity!! Only if/when you want to!! :)) I want to see photos of Rico!!! It must be so incredible to cohabitate with a bird friend!! I can't even imagine. And I love how you said, even though you didn't see Flaco, you were happy that he was above you somewhere. :) So beautiful and sad and sweet. I also would love to see your bird drawings!! SOO exciting about the potential Flaco statue in the park. We have to all sig the petition!! Thank you so much for sharing that. I'll send around to everyone!!! I know this is just the tip of the iceberg of what you want to share so I look forward to more!!
Yes he is sitting on my head again....watching lol. Birds are actually very smart (or so he keeps telling me) I think the statue will happen for sure!
So beautiful, Jesse. I am always taken aback by the breadth of your knowledge and the many things you write about so beautifully. As I read, I simultaneously hear your sweet and tender voice speaking them as well. This story about Flaco, birds in general, and people as well, touched my heart. I am a believer that the simple things in life are often its greatest treasures. As we live on the marsh of the Raritan Bay, we are privileged to see a myriad of birds every day, from majestic eagles and osprey, to colorful blue herons, and breathtaking stately white egrets. We’re truly blessed to live adjacent to this majestic refuge. Thank you for once again sharing so generously.
Wowww this is so beautiful and exciting to imagine. Do you use the Merlin App? Do you take photos of them? What a joyful part of life. Thank you !!1
I literally read about Flaco just last week. I was so happy to read he had acclimated well to NYC. Now I read humans untethered his cage and he is dead. Now I too am terribly sad. Thank you for your beautiful post on Flaco who did not deserve to die in this manner. I had hoped he would grow to be old. I am sorry Jesse you won't see him again. I feel sad now too. Humans...
Sending so many hugs. We have to do better and better and better,,,,
Yes..yes..yes🙏🏻😔💗
🫂
your delightful spirit shines through every word you write Jesse... even in sadness. thank you for these poignant, yet life affirming stories... and the triumph of the little green bird visitation.
I too love birds. Imagine being able to fly! My partner and l take bird food wherever we go and feed the birds. We also put food and fresh water every day on our roof where we have fed a Crow family for over 10 years (Jays, Magpies and Squirrels also visit).
I read with great sadness about Falco, Owls are really beautiful and here in London we also lose many birds due to high buildings and how wonderful you saw him. Magical 🙏
Thank you for saving the young Starling we have people here that also come out to rescue birds in distress. They are good people.
I find seeing nature and watching birds very meditative and helps me forget the sorrows of the world. Thank you Jesse for such a lovely post 🙏
This is all so beautiful. I love how we are connected through birds from NYC to London, like they are flying in the sky to send messages between us. Thank you so much :))
‘ good, bad, happy , sad ..all thoughts vanish like the imprint of a bird in the sky ‘
Hanging out with some of my fine feathered pals down by the Bay, yesterday:
https://share.icloud.com/photos/06d6oxJNnQY8PZZlAhP01TR1w
Ohhh wow this is so beautiful! Looks so nice. What sorts of birds did you see/hear?
Down by the water, Seagulls, Pelicans, Pigeons, Blue Herons, Black-Crowned Night Herons, Grebes, Cormorants. Closer to home (five minutes from the Bay), Crows, Blue Jays, Finches, Starlings, Robins, all manner of Sparrows, Ravens, Spotted Towhees, Cedar Waxwings, occasionally an owl, Hawks, and something unidentified whose song sounds like - no kidding - Volare! To name just some of the amazing variety of birds here. They are a constant source of joy.
Wowwww!! This is incredible!!! Thank you so so so much. This is wild!! In the truest sense!!
Almost forgot - Quails and Mourning Doves. The Quails are quite comical.
Ohhh wow. That's so great. Mourning Doves remind me so much of childhood, the sound of them makes me so emotional and nostalgic every time. <3 So surreal like being transported instantly. I really love and cherish it, even in the bittersweetness of it all.
You nailed it, Jesse. Cue Prince...
Jesse, this is such inspired writing. Flaco is a beautiful dream. I love all my time with birds. I love you. Victoria
Love you so much. Rockaway does such a good job to care for the birds. :) Piping Plovers!
I can’t wait to dig in to some of these resources you shared.
I’ve been following flavors story. This was the best possible way to have found out about his passing.