The question and the answer bird

I stood entirely still, pulled into a quiet trance by a voice in the canopy.

Above me, a Blue-headed Vireo was putting on a masterclass in slow living. He wasn’t frantic like the migrating warblers. Instead, he moved with deliberate grace, treating the branches like a stage.

“Hear me?” his sweet, whistled voice would ask, echoing clearly through the leaves.

"See me?" Then, a patient pause. He would tilt his slate-blue head, peer intently under a leaf, and pluck a caterpillar.

“Here I am,” he would answer himself, his melody rising and falling in a flawless, rhythmic conversation with the forest.

For a few mesmerizing moments, the rest of the world faded into the background. There was only the dappled sunlight, the bright white spectacles around his dark eyes, and that sweet, liquid carol filling the air. He was entirely content in his work—effortlessly turning the search for breakfast into a beautiful piece of music.

Hearing him and watching him was a gift; A reminder to slow down, pause, and open your heart and mind to the simple slow rhythm of nature. It was a perfect end to my morning walk.

As Spring Migration comes to an end I am reflecting on the excitement and craziness of the past few weeks. The time spent looking for all of the beautiful birds migrating through the area. The time spent birding with new friends and old friends. The new places and experiences that birding brings me to. It’s one of my favorite times of the year and I’m grateful for another year to enjoy it. I hope everyone who loves birding got out and enjoyed all the magic of spring migration!