There’s a bird singing in the tree above you. You look up, but the leaves are thick in early summer and you can’t see through them. The song is clear and close.
You’re drawn to find out who’s behind it. You crane your neck. It’s right overhead in a tangle of green. Your dog waits patiently. It’s his dawn walk, not a bird hike. But even he seems interested.
You know some bird calls. Cardinal, robin, wren and dove…raucous jays. This invisible bird sings a different tune.
You stare at the spot from where the music comes. But see no bird there. The song moves and you follow. Why are you so determined?
This makes you think of Rima the bird girl in W.H. Hudson’s classic novel, “Green Mansions.”
You liked that adventure story even though the language was Victorian, purely out of English lit class.
Later, you also liked the ‘59 film version of it. Young Audrey Hepburn beautifully cast as the mysterious Rima.
A real girl or fever dream?
She sang an avian siren-song, drawing a man (along with the rest of us) into forbidden jungle. Her music was magnetic, but where was she?
Back in the moment: the invisible bird is calling. And you guess: a concealed scarlet tanager? Its throaty robin-like notes make this a real possibility. And you’d like a glimpse.
Nothing.
You think: Rima lives again. This gorgeous ghost from a dusty library has come to your neighborhood to taunt you in a tall tree.
You move away and start the day. But throughout it you remember the invisible bird. And the haunting young Audrey Hepburn, Rima the bird girl.
Thanks for the comment Dana. We try to keep the focus on birds but the words are part of it too. If you like writing, we invite you to submit something to our Guest Essays category–we’re in comeback mode around here and would welcome new voices.
Love that you make literary references in your birding posts. And use a lot of alliteration: “This gorgeous ghost from a dusty library has come to your neighborhood to taunt you in a tall tree.” Keep it up!