Summer Symphony

Will you stop and listen for a minute? Nature has something to tell you. Tune out the human sounds of t.v. and c.d. players, traffic noise, humming air conditioners, dogs barking, kids playing, neighbors mowing the lawns. It takes a little patience. But you can do it. What do you hear?

This is what I hear. The birds are singing. They are talking to each other. Sparrows enjoy group chats, goldfinches bounce through the sky singing a joyful oratory. Crows caw off in the distance, robins talk of nests and bugs. Bluejays call to each other loudly, or sometimes sound like a rusty gate opening. Cardinals compose love songs, chickadees talk quickly and often.

Bumblebees have no time for chit chat. There is much to do, humming as they work. Even though butterflies are silent, their flight weaves a path through the garden that would inspire a song. Dragonflies careen past with the softest of sounds, flicking by abruptly. Cicadas buzz and whine with almost electric noise.

The great trees are rarely silent, their leaves and branches moving gently in a breeze, or with a great wind they sway and wave. They rustle or creak, sometimes there is a soft swooshing sound, or a louder bristling. A most beautiful sound is the wind moving through the tall pines. Have you heard it? It truly is amazing.

At night, as you watch the fireflies flashing off and on their tiny lanterns, the sounds are less identifiable. So many night creatures buzzing, clicking, ticking, croaking, chirping, peeping. What are they? Who are they? In early summer it is not quite as loud. Soon enough though the night chorus will offer loud and long performances.

These are all free concerts. Nature is talking and singing and celebrating.

Will you listen?