Day 30: ee-oh-lay

•

OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT!

Wood Thrush are Back!

With a very brisk, cold wind blowing in from the northwest, it feels more like a November chill than an April blush. But what did T.S. Eliot say, "April is the cruelest month breeding lilacs out of the dead land."

Yet. No month could possibly be called cruel with the song of a wood thrush, "ee-oh-lay, ee-oh-lee" echoing flute-like from the hollow. Local artist Vickie Henderson sent this report into our Nature Calling News-Desk. The alluring song of perhaps our finest singer is back in the woods around her home. After their long flight from Central America, they are here to serenade.

"Singing so beautifully. I feel so privileged," Vickie emailed.  

The song of a wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) is hollow with a bit of reverb because the singer has the equivalent of two sets vocal cords that allow him to sing two overlapping song phrases, essentially singing a duet.

Hearing one harmonize with himself is a highlight of a month anything but cruel.

Ob-la-de, ob-la-da. Yes. Life indeed goes on.

•