I’ve respected mockingbirds since I was a kid when I watched one pick up a snake that was threatening it’s nest and repeatedly dash it on the pavement from high in the sky.
My childhood friend rescued a baby mockingbird and it became her pet. It flew freely about the house and held it’s own with her family’s five cats.
They are feisty and assertive birds and they are talented musicians.
They don’t just mimic the sounds they hear, they also compose, morphing the timber,
and tune, to make their songs more melodic.
Mockingbirds are night singers in the spring and summertime at The Holler.
Juvenile and adult males without mates sing at night to attract females.
I love falling to sleep at night listening to their vocal repertoires.
Cheers to you from The Holler musicians~
sweet little guys!!💖
They are such intelligent birdies დ
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Thanks for sharing these talented birds, Cindy 💛🙏💛
Thank you more for appreciating them Val & stay safe and well my friend დ
Breathtaking photos! 👏🏼
Honored you enjoyed them & thank you Michele დ
My pleasure. 🌞
I’d like to see that one Mockingbird as a pet fighting those cats!
They are similar to roadrunners in their aggressiveness when threatened, but roadrunners are larger and kill rattlesnakes which is really something to see დ
interesting bird Cindy
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Great photos of this iconic bird, Cindy. They are certainly talented musicians. I love the idea of listening to them as you fall asleep! <3
Thank you Eliza. The night blooming jasmine, the frog symphonies and mockingbird concerts, are the essence of summer nights at The Holler. And the howling coyote packs too of course! დ
Sounds wonderful to me! Currently, the katydids are rasping away from the trees outside and there are quieter crickets in the grass. I love the spring songbird chorus, but it is the night music of August that I long for in the depths of winter.
I understand that.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge on the Mocking Bird they sound like beautiful, fascinating birds…Your images of them are fabulous, Cindy really highlight every feather and shades of colour…x
Awww…. You make me happy I posted them Carol. Thank you & I am happy you enjoyed them დ
Wow, Cindy, the photos are beautiful! Such an attractive bird. I can’t recall the song that talks about Mockingbirds.
James Taylor & Carly Simon? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srSFZeR7-8U
Wow Cindy, thanks for the link! I remember this, there may be one other song or it’s Simon and Taylor in the studio. I follow them both on Instagram. 😎
Yes. There are actually a fair number of songs about mockingbirds. I think song writers must relate to them!
Beautiful birds and gorgeous photos as always, Cindy!
(Now I want to have a Carly Simon/James Taylor sing-a-long! 😀 )
I just included the link above! Laughing….. Thank you very much Felicia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srSFZeR7-8U
LOL!! 😀 😉
The first picture belongs in a calendar. It is perfect.
Ahhhh, so thoughtful. Thank you & cheers my friend დ
They are beautiful, elegant looking birds Cindy
Huge Hugs
They are understated, but elegant! 😉
Hi Cindy – excellent captures and commentary! We had one in the front yard who did the most adorable courtship display dancing. I was just about to post that James Taylor Carly Simon song but you beat me to it! It will be circling around in my mind’s ear for hours thanks to your post. 😊 Best, Babsje
Grazie my friend. At least that is a good song to have stuck in one’s head! დ
Yes it is. Thanks for sending me down a musical rabbit hole this evening. 😊
Smiling…..
Stunning pictures. Brilliant birds. One of the best pics of them I ever saw so far. Thanks to you and your view finder.
Ahhhh, honored. Thank you so much & cheers to you დ
Most welcome
Handsome fellow.
He was a natural model, at ease with the camera! 😉
I love mockingbirds! Their song is so wonderful and they seem to be very intelligent. 🙂 Fantastic photos!
I <3 my friends who <3 mockingbirds დ
Nice shots!
Merci beaucoup დ
Beautiful words and images ..
Hush, little baby.
Don’t say a word.
Mama’s going to buy you
a mocking bird. (JAMES Taylor)
Thank you. I love Taylor’s version and the even older one დ
The mocking bird is a miracle indeed.. Great images 🌹
Thanks much. They are super intelligent so much fun დ
Yes.. 🙏
Beautiful post and pics.
Grazie Mille Michelle დ
🥰🥰🥰
Stunning shots as usual!
Ahhh, thank you very much & cheers to you დ
Wonderful shots! What beautiful eyes they have. (And I’m so old, my fave version of the song is by Inez & Charlie Foxx, lol.) I stood under a telephone pole one summer dusk and the mockingbird atop it went through his 21-song repertoire a couple of times — he must’ve been terribly in love! 🙂
I didn’t realize that Taylor and Simon ‘borrowed’ this song. Love the earlier version. Thanks for telling me about it. It is wonderful to hear them go through their whole symphony! დ
I don’t know that I have ever heard one but they sound incredible. Thanks for all the wonderful information.
Here you go! Listen to them sing and mimic:
I have never seen such beautifully clear photographs of a mocking bird – yours are incredible. What a beautiful sound to hear at night too!
Aww…… You touched my heart. Thank you Anne & take good care დდ
Got two cheers, from them to our tuned wars and to your beautiful composed eyes for those breathtaking almost taking nearest to their being photographs. Thank you for this beaut mocking birds.
Also that sight as a kid of a bird carrying and dropping a snake must be awe inspiring. That is such a visual.
Narayan x
Smiling. Thank you! I was all about birds as a kid. I saw the snake do this when I got off the school bus. It definitely still makes a big impression on me. I saw ravens doing something similar in Scotland. They picked up clams and repeatedly dropped them on the rocky beach until the shells cracked so they could eat them. Birds are smart დ
Love the photos 🙂
Happy you do & thank you! დ
Beautiful pictures of such fascinating birds Cindy. We haven’t been blessed with seeing or hearing them we we live, but I know they’re in AL.
Thank you my friend. Hopefully, one or two will drop by for a visit someday. If they do, you will know they are there. They are not quiet birdies 😉
Gorgeous photos!
Alison
Aww… Much appreciated Alison. Stay safe & well დ
You too Cindy 🙏
Wow…brilliant images of a wonderful bird. Nicely done!
Thank you very much & cheers to you დ
Oh, you reminded me of this lovely song:
“Lulla-lulla-lullaby
Hush, little baby don’t you
Hush, little baby don’t say a word
Papa’s gonna buy you a mocking bird”
I know it well and love it! დ
Very nice birds. I love the photos. Thank you, LG Marie
Thank you more for such a thoughtful comment & cheers to you Marie დ
What an incredibly feisty bird! Great photos of course. That goes without saying.
Awww……Your kindness is so appreciated Margaret დ
How lovely and the photos are fantastic too
So happy you enjoyed Sheree & cheers to you! დ
Thanks Cindy
Your pictures of the Mockingbird are wonderful. I am taken by your story how the bird protected his children from the snake. So clever.
Miriam
Thank you very much Miriam. Birds are seriously dedicated parents and very clever. Cheers to you and thank you! დ
I can certainly believe that falling asleep with birdsong is very soothing and relaxing.
How astonishing and exceptionally beautiful the photos in this series. And nice to read that you have had respect for this bird since childhood.
I really enjoyed it.
Wish you a beautiful new week.
What a thoughtful and kind person you are. Thank you so much for your lovely thoughts & stay safe and well my friend დ
It is given with all pleasure and sympathy, because that is how I am as a person and personality.
I thank you for your very kind response, because it gives me satisfaction.
All the best to you too, and take good care of yourself in all your health.
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Leider gibt es bei uns in der Schweiz nicht mehr viele Drosseln. Ich mag von allen Arten die Singdrossel am liebsten.
Sie haben so ein schönes Lied! Ich verstehe, warum sie dein Favorit sind. Bleib gesund und munter mein Freund დ
Wonderful photographs and stories
You are a thoughtful and appreciated friend Derrick დ
X
good morning.. always a pleasure!
Thank you & cheers to you! დ
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How wonderful to have the company of these beautiful song birds. The only song bird in my garden is a blackbird. He hasn’t started singing yet but he and his partner are settling in for the spring and summer.
How lovely to have them move in for the season. Birds make the best neighbors! დ
I’ve heard they are very protective of their nests. Once outside my garden a blue snake was eyeing a robin’s nest and all I heard was a lot of noise from the parents, they don’t dive bomb prey! I had to take a hoe after the snake as I couldn’t just stand by. I’m sure it came back when I was gone 🙁 Nature always fascinates me 🙂
We have striped racers at The Holler. Roadrunners eat them! You are so right. Nature is wonderful and fascinating დ
Our lab/husky mix use to catch garter snakes and swing them around until they were dead. She thought they were her toys! Awful!
Yikes! Hopefully she didn’t try this with a rattler. We have rattlesnake aversion training for dogs at The Holler because lots of dogs get bitten out here.
The masssasugua rattlesnake is small and rather timid in Michigan and probably lives in the wetland areas of our property – doesn’t come near the house and we never saw any on our many walks. A sister on the other hand was out for a walk in a nice neighborhood in Kingwood, Texas (near Houston) and one of her dogs got bit by something. He jumped up and keeled over – she carried this 50 lb. dog back to the house and got him to the vet without any bad effects. She thought it was some kind of snake that was in a wooded area along the path.
Oh that is so scary! I am so glad he is okay and send kudos to your sister.
I love the composition and colors of the first photo.
Mother Nature is the ultimate artist! Thank you Liz დ
You’re welcome, Cindy!
Feisty little birds!
They are tough guys! 😉
It is nice to have the evening serenade to fall asleep. 🙂
Definitely, and wild symphonies are wonderful! დ
Your photos look so beautiful and realistic, I can almost hear the mockingbirds sing.
Makes me smile. Thanks Peter & cheers დ
Fantastic details in your photos Cindy! They are fascinating and feisty birds. 😃
Thank you Brad. They have strong personas დ
Yes!
Nice and sharp photos! I didn’t know they were nocturnal. Interesting.
They are definitely diurnal as well, as they eat during the day, but they are a member of a discrete group of birds that sing at night დ
I had to listen to the bird song of this one Cindy. It isn’t in my book of bird song so I googled it. It’s quite lovely indeed.
Leslie
Plus it is always different, as they are constantly improvising and mimicking new sounds they hear დ
Thank you for the information of mocking birds. I did not know how gifted they are. I learn something new daily, from books and people. Aint that wonderful? 🙂
It is wonderful. Inquiring minds never stop learning დდ
Beautiful shots of this lovely bird, Cindy!
I’d love to hear one sing. Maybe one day. In the meantime I’ll have to settle for crows, pigeons and grackles. There are finches around, but not in my yard. Sometimes I get to here them. They have a sweet tune!
Thank you Resa. I did a series on grackles. They are such interesting birds. დ
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Beautiful shots👌
Thanks very much & cheers დ
Beautiful photos of the Mockingbird! I love to hear them, and we see them here all the time. 🙂
Thanks much. They are wonderful neighbors! დ
Lovely portraits of one of my favorite musicians. Their repertoire is truly impressive.
They are incredible musicians and very smart birds. Thank you Tanja დ
How lovely it must to hear one sing. No wonder songs have been written about mockingbirds.
Musicians copying the masters!! 😉
Yes! Have you read “Little House on the Prairie”, where the mockingbird sings along with Pa as he plays the fiddle?
I read all Wilder’s books addictively as a child. I wanted to be part of Laura’s family and live in a sod house on Plum Creek, and traverse the prairies with Jack the dog running in front of the covered wagon. I actually went back and re-read a few of them in adulthood. I also read all the bios of Wilder. If she was still writing, I would still be reading!! 😉
That is so wonderful! So of course you know the mockingbird scene. I am very lucky, because I get to read these books aloud at chapter reading every year. Every year! I never tire of the stories, and the children are beside themselves with anticipation. Picture nap time, lights out, and Jennie reading these wonderful books to children before they fall asleep. It’s no surprise that chapter reading is my favorite part of the day.
I tell children every year that my grandmother and Laura’s daughter were born on the same year and had the same name – Rose.
I know you are you are a gifted teacher. I would so loved to have been a child in your class.
Ah, Cindy, at last a bird I have also known and loved since I was a child in Texas – a bird that also sings to us on Cardinal Drive in South Carolina. Loved these images of old friends.
Be well, my friend.
I <3 my friends who <3 mockingbirds! დ
Just beautiful…you are a wonderful artist. The bird is gorgeous.
You are a wonderful friend Gigi დ
A friend, who has since passed on, once told me I sang like a mockingbird. He also said his wife cooked like a mockingbird. This was his way of giving the highest praise. I never forgot that, and mockingbirds have, since then, been very special to me.
Your observations on mockingbirds bear out more of their fascinating abilities. I especially liked the image that looks like the bird has a thorny spine. Inspiring pics and thoughts!
What a wonderful friend! Your thoughtful comment makes me glad I posted. Cheers to you Rilla & stay safe დ
They look so alive. Wonderful shots!!
Thanks much my friend & hope all is well with you დ
Hermoso. Me fascinó. Saludos.
¡Saludos! Y muchas gracias amigo. Manténgase sano y salvo. დ
Igualmente, estimada amiga. Lo mejor de la vida para ti. Saludos.
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Amazing photos!
Grazie mille! დ
🙂
Beautifully clicked the Mocking bird and the description is fantastic! Thank you very much for sharing ☺️😊🌷😊
Thank you much more for your kind appreciation დ
They really are beautiful birds, aren’t they? You have such stunning photos. It’s amazing your childhood friend rescued one that became a household birdie among several cats. I wouldn’t trust my cat near a bird ever, he still has the vile (but natural) instincts around things that fly.
Caz xx
You should see my cat Herbert with the roadrunners! He clearly is outclassed 😉 😉
Such an interesting bird! Your photos are fantastic as always!! 🙂
❤️carmen
Thank you Carmen & cheers to you დ
What great stories, Cindy! A pet mockingbird?? I’ve never heard of such a thing!
He was quite tame and would eat out of our hands, and flew freely about the house. They had five cats and three dogs. He rounded the team out well! My friends house was far more exciting than my house, where we had one dog, and two kids! 😉
Amazing. I love their songs in the yard, and I know that they are good dive bombers! Great photos
I am happy you listen to their songs Barbara. Thank you & cheers დ
I never heard them sing – but I made friends with one in the Galapagos islands. I do love them. So inquisitive and funny…well, maybe because it was the Galapagos they were not afraid at all. Your photography is marvelous as usual, and you brought to life my little friend over there. Loved your stories too. A truly beautiful bird, and I wish I could hear them sing. So often I think of our sail in those islands. If I only could, I would go there again. But it seems the world is lost to us now, and we are grateful for the adventures we have had.
“If I only could, I would go there again. But it seems the world is lost to us now, and we are grateful for the adventures we have had.”
This gave me goosebumps because it is so true. Travel for us travelers, means a meaningful exploratory life. So very hard that it has stopped.
So it is, Cindy. How do we manage? Really. We have to adapt, but I miss so many things about traveling. Yet, I should not complain, we lead a good life despite the disasters in this world. I worry about our planet, have always done. But now things are going straight downwards to a complete disaster. I live in my own bubble, where I grow a garden attractive for insects and birds. My thing. I have to feel I am doing something positive, something to help.
There, some ranting…but I am low these days. I hope you are all well there in the Holler.
♥
I personally understand how you feel and struggle with many of the same thoughts and feelings. It is hard to watch our slow slide towards apocalypse and not feel depressed. I am glad you have your Eden for insects and birds and people to commune happily with each other. It is a healing balm for all of us. Sending you love and empathy დდ
Cindy, I really appreciate your thoughts. I feel like you feel much the same. Sending you warm thoughts in your paradise❤
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Hi Cindy, thank you so much for these stunning photographs!
The thanks go to you Charles. You have this consistent generosity of mind. It is unusual and so special დ
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Please enjoy these stunning photographs from Cindy Knoke!
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Simply fantastic!
Honored. Thank you დ
wonderful upclose photos and whoa, they sound like birds you don’t want to mess with! Yet you say they sing so beautifully. I enjoyed learning more about mockers!
Thank you Kathy. They are wonderful to have around. They eat bugs and scare off snakes! დ
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Your are much appreciated Michael. Thank you & be well დ
Indeed birds of character. Lol Hello, Cindy! It seems you are only having birds with an academic background. When do you release the first album, with songs? 😉 Thanks for sharing, and have a beautiful rest of the weekend! Please stay save! xx Michael
Well it is true that I prefer a well educated birdie!! 😉
Diesen Spötter, den du in deinem Beitrag zeigst gibt es bei uns nicht . Es ist ein Verwandter der bei uns heimisch ist, der Gelbspötter. Ich kann mich an einer Beobachtung erinnern, wo dieser Vogel mich arg getäuscht hat.Aus einem dichten Buschwerk drang der Gesang der Dornengrasmücke und die des Gartenrotschwanz zu mir. Beide Vogelarten waren nicht in dem Gebüsch, es war allein der Gelbspötter der ihren Gesang imitiert hat.
Deine Foto sind fantastisch, danke fürs Zeigen.
Viele Grüße
Werner.
Was für eine wundervolle Geschichte! Danke, dass du es mit mir teilst. Vögel sind so unglaublich clever mit ihren Tricks und Mimikry. Sie haben mich auch auf viele lustige Verfolgungsjagden geführt und ich habe jede Sekunde davon geliebt. Pass gut auf dich auf, mein Freund Werner დ
Beautiful captures Cindy, you do really lovely photography. 🙂
Much appreciated. Thank you very much. I love birds and they are so photogenic დ
Wonderful insight into the mockingbird that for me are only of song and book fame. Seem incredible characters. Not sure Europe has anything like it.
Happy you enjoyed and thanks much Magpie have some similarities.
I will look into the connections.
<3