Saunter, Gaze, Linger ~ Words to Slow Bird With
When Song Sparrows arrived back in my yard I could feel in my body that inner hum of excitement for birds returning to the landscape here in Vermont. After being absent for many months, that first glimpse is electric, captivating, and full of warmth and hope.
Over the next two months, if you make yourself available and present, this daily dose of endorphins will carry you through mud season and into the full green regalia of spring in Vermont. Imagine too what would happen if you chose to shift your birding intention from one of identifying each migrant and not missing a wingbeat to one of casual, almost leisurely welcome to whoever arrives wherever you are.
I find myself lingering with the Song Sparrows. First though, letting them call me into awareness. Their voices back on the landscape call me to slow down, to pause and delight that they are back. I feel they want me to spend a little more time with them as well. And so, I’m calling on different words to describe my birding intention this spring. Words like saunter or wander for how I’ll move across the land or gaze for how I’ll behold them on the land. It’s a softening of purpose that’s tipping more towards expanding my relationship with birds.
This slow intention is such an interesting juxtaposition with the intense feeling of the arrival of spring. The drive and the desire to note every little migrant flourish or blush of buds on trees or the unfurling of woodland wildflowers. I think I desire to hold the two in balance - a soft spring gaze that is vibrant with newness. I am vibrating with the possibility of seeing it all anew once again. And so I lean on these words to guide me.
When I linger, my ability to notice complexities multiples. This could be the streaky patterns on the breast of Song Sparrow or just the way they move through space in the yard. When I linger, my gaze has time to soften and expand and take as much in as possible; the whole context of the returning Song Sparrow. Even thinking about it now, I feel a soft smile on my face and a warm kernel of delight, and a desire to return to my sit spot in my yard to meet up with Song Sparrow again.
Here are some of the words I’ve been thinking on lately:
For movement while slow birding…
Saunter, verb to walk about in an idle or leisurely manner
Wander, verb to move about without a fixed course, aim, or goal
Roam, verb to go from place to place without purpose or direction
For noticing…
Linger, verb to stay in a place longer than necessary because of a reluctance to leave.
Gaze, verb to look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, surprise, or thought.
Behold, verb to perceive through sight or apprehension
How can we employ and embrace some of these words to stay our slow birding practice? What other words come up for you that are prompts for noticing and connection? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
Invitation by Mary Oliver
Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy
and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles
for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,
or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air
as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine
and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude -
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in this broken world.
I beg of you,
do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.
It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.