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Reverence for the Hermit Thrush, Disdain for the Kingbird and Pewee, and Banter with the Ovenbird
Nineteenth-century naturalist and essayist, John Burroughs gives a detailed account of the Hermit Thrush’s song. For him, it is the finest sound in nature; the peace and deep solemn joy only the finest souls may know. Strolling the undomesticated wilderness, greeted by the Wood Pewee and Eastern Kingbird. Documenting the curiosity and confidence of the…
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In the Hemlocks, a Guided Tour of a Primitive, Undisturbed Forest and the Avifauna Living There
The start of Wake-Robin, chapter 2, In the Hemlocks. Author and gentleman rambler, John Burroughs, begins a guided tour in the hemlocks. Years before, townsfolk, tanners, and lumbermen attempted in vain to tame and exploit the grove. But nature proved uncooperative and the effort abandoned. By his account, the spirit and energy of the wilderness…
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The Scarlet Tanager and the Dog Days of August, and, Finally, the Silent End of the Season
Reaching the end of Chapter 1 in John Burroughs classic nature study, Wake Robin, the gentleman rambler describes the birds of July, the Scarlet Tanager, compares the Peewee’s hunting prowess and efficiency on the wing to the Chipping Sparrow, or Socialis fumbling pursuit of a month. The marvel and spectacle when the pigeon hawk, now…
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John Burroughs Shares His Admiration for the Aristocratic Wood Thrush, Praise for the Soulful Veery, Some Criticism for the Catbird, and an Encounter with a Black Snake
Naturalist and gentleman rambler John Burroughs was born 183 years ago on April 3, 1837. We’re grateful to carry on his work. Continuing where we left off in episode 3, we pick up in the first chapter of his book Wake-Robin. John Burroughs focuses on the thrushes. He details the grace and ease of the Wood…
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Introduction: Presenting Live Birds and not just Stuffed and Labeled Specimens
Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Winter Wren Eastern Bluebird American Robin Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star…
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Second Edition Trailer
It’s the best time of the year. The parade begins. As Winter retreats Spring leans in. The birds are returning. And so is our show.
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Episode 18: Epilogue – 149 Years Later
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Episode 17: In praise of John Audubon, with a couple backhanded compliments and a correction
John Burroughs praises Audubon’s life’s work, yet questions some of Audubon’s assertions about comparisons between the Louisiana Waterthrush’s song and the European Nightingale’s, the Bobolink’s and the Blue Grosbeak’s. Burroughs appreciates the volume of Audubon’s catalog, and offers two of his own to add to the collection. Click the links below for details about the…
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Episode 15: The Bluebird
Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Eastern Bluebird European Robin Western Bluebird House Wren Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem…
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Episode 14: Strolling through Rock Creek and Piney Branch, Wilderness beyond the Capitol with the Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat and Cardinal
Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Wood Thrush Veery Kentucky Warbler Blue-grey Gnatcatcher Northern Water Thrush Yellow-breasted Chat Cardinal Grosbeak Red-headed Woodpecker Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard…
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Episode 10: Hiking to the Upper Ironworks and Indian Pass, Taking the Pulse of Mother Nature
Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Black-capped Chickadee Cedar Waxwing Ruby-throated Hummingbird Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star…
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Episode 9: August in the Adirondacks, Deer Hunting at Night
Credits & Links: Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Purple Finch Pine Siskin Vesper Sparrow White-throated Sparrow American Robin White-breasted Nuthatch Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife…
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Episode 8: Partridge Drumming, the Cowbirds’ deception, and so many Warblers in the Barkpeelings
Completing a late afternoon stroll in the Barkpeelings. Lounging on a moss sofa, listening to the chorus. Observations on the Cowbirds’ egg-depositing-deception and dereliction of parenting duty. Credits & Links: Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Ruby-throated…
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Episode 7: Reverence for the Hermit Thrush, but None for the Pewee
The heavenly Hermit Thrush. Commentary about the cowardly Eastern Kingbird. The Wood Pewee’s plainness. Praise for the Ovenbird Click here to listen to Episode 1. Click here to listen to Episode 2. Click here to listen to Episode 3. Click here to listen to Episode 4. Click here to listen to Episode 5. Click here…
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Episode 6: Into the Hemlocks
“And what is a bird without its song? It seems to me I do not know a bird till I’ve heard its voice.” John Burroughs’s second essay, Into the Hemlocks featuring the red-eyed vireo, the winter wren and veery. Thoughts on taking specimens for study, Blackburnian warbler and the blue yellow-backed warbler, now known as the Northern Parula.…
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Episode 5: Scarlet Tanager and the End of the Season
The scarlet tanager and the birds of summer. Observations of the hawk and the end of the season. Click here to listen to Episode 1. Click here to listen to Episode 2. Click here to listen to Episode 3. Credits & Links: Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in…
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Episode 4: Veery, Grey Catbird and a Snake Encounter
The princely disposition of the wood thrush, the cool notes of the veery, the pretense of the gray catbird and a black snake picks the wrong spot to relax. Click here to listen to Episode 1. Click here to listen to Episode 2. Click here to listen to Episode 3. Credits & Links: Click the…
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Episode 3: Welcome Back Cuckoos, Warblers & Thrushes
Click here to listen to Episode 1. Click here to listen to Episode 2. Credits & Links: Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Yellow billed Cuckoo Bobolink Black-billed Cuckoo Wood Thrush 1 Wood Thrush 2 Field Sparrow…
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Episode 2: Welcome Back Flycatchers, Woodpeckers & Thrushes
Burroughs describes robin’s ramshackle nest, the under appreciated socialis, or song sparrow, and his affection for the northern flicker.
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Episode 1: Introduction
Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Winter Wren Eastern Bluebird American Robin Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star…