Monday Hermit Thrush Blogging

In the swamp, in secluded recesses,  

A shy and hidden bird is warbling a song.    

 

Solitary, the thrush,

The hermit, withdrawn to himself, avoiding the settlements,           

Sings by himself a song.

─From Walt Whitman's When Lilacs Last in the Door-Yard Bloom'd.

This thrush, however, was not withdrawn to himself at all, standing firmly athwart the gate, refusing me entry. By chance I had my Nikon D90 hanging around my neck, so I was able to slowly put down my grocery bags, bring up the Nikon and take several shots, gradually inching forward until the little bird got bored with the standoff.

Photo: Hermit Thrush─Marin County, 2011