Author's Note: This Phoebe has been with us for several weeks now, having taken residence in the privet hedge in our garden. He flits in and out during the day and has claimed a fence post cap as his vantage point. He is ours, or at least we think he is ours and we love his presence daily in our habitat. Where would we be without the beauty of birds? They are wonderful and beautiful. I hope you like this photo of our Black Phoebe. ----BT

 

 

"I was always a lover of soft-winged things."
     

 - Victor Hugo, I Was Always a Lover

 

 

 

 

A Black Phoebe on the garden fence

March 8, 2006

Photo by BT

Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT

Lens: Canon EF75-300mm F4-5.6 IS

 

 

Birds, the free tenants of earth, air, and ocean,
  

Their forms all symmetry, their motions grace,
   

 In plumage delicate and beautiful,
      

Thick without burthen; close as fish's scales,
       

 Or loose as full blown poppies on the gale;
          

With wings that seem as they'd a soul within them,
           

 They bear their owners with such sweet en-chantment.

 

---James Montgomery

 

 

Black Phoebe in the garden

March 22, 2006

 

 

O birds, your perfect virtues bring,

Your song, your forms, your rhythmic flight,

Your manners for your heart's delight,

Nestle in hedge, or barn, or roof,

Here weave your chamber weather-proof,

Forgive our harms, and condescend

To man, as to a lubber friend,

And, generous, teach his awkward race

Courage, and probity, and grace!

 

----Ralph Waldo Emerson