Here we are immersed in the fullness of May. I wonder how many recognize just how special this time of year is, not just because of the massive migratory spectacle but also for May’s pulchritudinous profusion of flowers and deliciously moderate climate. Lest ye take the magic of this month for granted, heed instead the words of one of the great American poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
It Is Not Always May
The sun is bright,—the air is clear,
The darting swallows soar and sing,
And from the stately elms I hear
The blue-bird prophesying Spring.So blue yon winding river flows,
It seems an outlet from the sky,
Where waiting till the west wind blows,
The freighted clouds at anchor lie.All things are new ;—the buds, the leaves,
That gild the elm-tree’s nodding crest,
And even the nest beneath the eaves;—
There are no birds in last year’s nest!All things rejoice in youth and love,
The fulness of their first delight!
And learn from the soft heavens above
The melting tenderness of night.Maiden, that read’st this simple rhyme,
Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
For O! it is not always May!Enjoy the Spring of Love and Youth,
To some good angel leave the rest;
For Time will teach thee soon the truth,
There are no birds in last year’s nest!
Taking the words of old Wadsworth to heart, I’ll be immersing myself in magnificent May while seeking out local warblers. Corey may remain local in Queens, but then again he may fly far afield. How about you? Where will you be this weekend and will you be birding? Share your plans in the comments below!
Whatever your plans this weekend, make time to enjoy SkyWatch Friday. Also be sure to come back Monday to share your best bird of the weekend!
Keep your eyes to the skies for fabulous raptors.
(If you’re lucky, you’ll see some serene kites like the Mississippi Kites Nate encountered!)
I’ll be on a boat off San Diego on Saturday. Friday night I will be making blood sacrifices to the bird gods so we can see some tropicbirds and Pterodromas.
‘All things are new.’
Gorgeous capture. We have Cooper’s Hawks soaring through yards out of nowhere and strafing the bird feeders. :O(
What a great shot of this beautiful bird in flight!
With a quick trip to rainforests, dry forests, and wetlands at Carara National Park and vicinity this morning, a visit to cloud forest on Saturday, and a bird survey in high elevation habitats of Volcan Poas on Sunday, I should have quite the birdy weekend.
Mike, the poem you shared captured my feelings toward May in an achingly beautiful way. Just like the time many of us have to spend in the wilds we love, especially in such as where Pat O. will be spending her/his weekend, May and spring are sooo fleetingly short and packed with so many wonderful happenings and experiences. Would that it were always May!
We’re heading for Houston for the weekend, so maybe I’ll see something new there. But most of my time will be taken up with playing with my almost-one grandson and watching his dad graduate from medical school.
I’m leading a walk at Shiloh Hills Environmental Center outside of Reading, PA tomorrow morning. That may not be the world’s most exciting destination, but it is a chance to teach people about birds and that’s important.