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grin ‘n’ bare it a strange and wild announcement made Unless one can effectively and by a grand and handsome bird. significantly improve upon quiet, Don’t forget the mockingbird. Should perhaps that one should consciously this one be encountered, the hearer and methodically refrain from creating must be somewhat versed in identifying noise. This intrusion — noise — presbird calls or that hearer will mistake this ents in a broad assortment of forms, vocal virtuoso for some other avian speand very few are necessary. Mindless cies. He is, after all, a mockingbird. chatter, obnoxious machines, non-esTwilight and following, sounds likely sential devices. All are capable of change. A purely grand and peaceful disturbing the peace, of fencing one symphony is often generated by an out, or in, from healthful quiet. array of frogs. One that is particularly Quiet, however, is not specifically pleasing is the spring peeper, a little silence. There can be sounds, and a guy that peeps merrily in concert with great many of these can still qualify others of the kind. I often stand for long as quiet. It is this category of quiet periods and listen to them. The sound to which I refer here. This quiet is a is restful. Be advised, however; peeping healing, refreshing, and life-enhancing intensity and occurrence will decline as collection of sounds. June is filled spring ages and mating season wanes. with them. Regardless of season, a woods trail is delightful. There is another frog capable of Take a walk. Proper attire is espleasant sound. This one is the true basso profundo of any sential. Ear buds and cell phones and any device that may frog choir — the bull frog. Wonderful rumblings come from interrupt are an anathema. Just walk. And listen. this gentleman. And his call will rarely be mistaken. Depending upon time of day, sounds — proper sounds — Keep an ear out for coyotes. Their hair-raising but almost will vary. Early mornings can produce a cacophony of bird giddy yapping as they begin a night’s hunt is strangely calls as the callers stir with daylight. There can be rasping enchanting. and singing and chirping and cooing and hammering and So, take a walk. Silence the cell. The walk and listening will miniscule clucks and peeps from cardinals, doves, blue jays, be more productive. Eastern Towhees, Carolina Wrens, red-bellied woodpeckers. The Tufted Titmouse. The raucous crow. And there may be, especially a little later in the morning, those high-pitched screeches of hawks as these raptors call and circle in newly-lit skies or perch elevated and whisby Tony Kinton per-gentle in limber treetops. There may be the haunting cry and snappy cluck of a yellow-billed coo-coo, locally known Tony Kinton has been an active outdoors writer for 30 years. He lives in as the rain crow. Fortunate sojourners may encounter the Carthage and is a Central Electric member. Visit www.tonykinton.com chilling and perhaps alarming call of the pileated woodpecker, for more information.
Sunsets are a good time to stop and listen to the wild.
JUNE MAY 2021 | TODAY 11