Take a moment
Birdwatching can help. Seriously.
Happy New Year!
I’m reading a lovely book, Turning to Birds, The Power & Beauty of Noticing by Lili Taylor, a NY-based theatre actor. Spotted it in my local library, knew I would relate, thought you might too.
It begins thus:
“We all know what a bird is. They live in our yards, in our cities, on our seas. They exist on every single continent. They are the subject of children’s books and books for grownups. They are depicted in visual art, in TV documentaries, in movies. They have been around for 145 million years. One of the earliest cave paintings was of a bird. We use them as symbols and metaphors. We even eat them. But most people don’t really know birds - or rather they aren’t aware of them. I used to be one of those people…”
Taylor notes that she’s not a bird expert, or a scientist, she’s just curious. She talks about how birders sometimes mention the idea of a “spark bird” - the one that got them into it, but how she doesn’t have one, she simply started listening to birdsong and never stopped. She recalls when during the pandemic more of us started to see the Nature in our cities, and they’d tell her, “I like birds too.” Soon there were more books and podcasts about birds, so many that the twitcher community was like, wow birds are really having a moment...
So in this limbo time after Christmas but before the new year really kicks in, I wanted to invite you to have a moment too - a moment of noticing the birds, how delightful and fascinating they are, how they live among us, yet often go unnoticed. Join us on Apple:
Lili is not my guest (should I invite her?) but she inspired me to share this lovely conversation I had up my sleeve, with the Australian theatre actor and playwright, Nathan Harrison, who’s latest play is Birdsong of Tomorrow.
It debuted at Sydney’s Griffin Theatre, which does much to support emerging writers. I got invited to opening night, not sure why, but it was terrific. And beforehand I got to join Nathan on a birdwatching walk in my local park, which is where this podcast was recorded. Listen on Spotify:
Hang on!
Isn’t Wardrobe Crisis a fashion podcast?
Don’t worry - birds are often brilliantly dressed with their wonderful plumage. Herewith, the CSIRO Insta pics we discuss on the pod.
Remember there is beauty, wit, humour, joy, connection and wildlife in the world.
See you on the other side.
Clare x
Oh my dear how we are once again so beautifully aligned. Your letter arrived (yes indeed I still pretend to myself that every Substack writer has taken the time to address their ponderings directly to me) just as I was jotting down thoughts about my current studies. How the process of drawing, painting, observation, gardening and Celtic wisdom all find their place in the act of noticing. And having just checked a reference photo taken on my phone with the likely species in my bird book - yes I actually have a bird identification book - I was then inclined to check my messages and there you were - happily rambling on about the delights of bird watching!
Well of course I’ve now ordered the book, have the podcast added to my listening queue and will be taking great pride in knowing I am not alone in my newly discovered, late to the party, love of bird watching.
Back to it then,
Leuca
Lovely episode 😍 - I'm an Aussie 🇦🇺 who lives in South Wales 🏴 and miss the noisy birds! I'm from WA.