Mark Robertson
@markrobbie
Aviangelist. English teacher. Apprentice to Jesus. Other stuff. They will also know us by our mirth.
"Keep, sky, your storm-tossed songbirds," cries Liberty still. "Bring me your Plovers & Godwits, Your Pipers that pipe along the waterline, The Curlews that probe the silty wash— Send these, the wave-treaders, tide-timed, to me: I turn my eyes & my heart unto the estuary." —E Lazarus, approximately🪶
Thrilled was I to find this darling pair of least pipers, and then jolted was I by the blessed recognition that SHOREBIRD SEASON IS NIGH #birds
A local advocacy grp pressured our local govt to put a moratorium on pouring poison into our creek, and now the storm channel is the most vital and verdant place in town. And yesterday it hosted a massive killdeer convention. I counted about 24. KYEEELdeeyah!!! #birds
There are bright and strange things above us. Even in the dog days, in the curdling dust, they are still blooming and beaming upon us. Let them not find us looking only and idly at our shoes 🪶
Pretty bird, pretty bird Polly want a rodent? Polly want a rodent? #birds
Black-crowned night-heron scared the death outta me perched as he was up high, and staring unblinkingly into the middle distance with those ancient carnelian eyes 🪶
It's a hot town, summer in the city, but look—a Downy fledgling, striped and pretty, not long from his nest, brave but unsteady. I don't know why he's here, but it makes me very happy. #birds
A nuthatch—the narwahl of the mesquite—making merry down here in the foothills on a deep dog day. Don't know why he's here but it makes me very happy 🪶
This was a semi-painted young bunting and his quietly pretty birdlfriend from earlier. They were too cute out there swinging in the rye 🪶
Here we are sown, here we are sown; this is where we are tended & grown. These bodies are seeds, rough hewn & fickle. They are made to go down to the earth & die. Here we are sown, now we are sown; this is where we are tended & grown— until death itself is swallowed and gone. #birds bit o og #poetry
PSA: It's Goosapalooza at Hole 9 - standing room only - there will be pecks - more wild honkers than on the I-5 at rush hour - no one will sink a birdie
Lunar Birdlings 🪶 Tonight's moonrise should be a humdinger if you've the time and temper to mark it
I finally managed to woo a whole rattling crew of orioles to the yard. Thanks to @warchinthesky & @socalleslie for the sage advice #birds
'Thank you for the shhmuckers, kind sir. But, if I may be so bold, I think we all know that Welch's Concord Grape is the superior preserve' #birds
Sand-skimming swallows feasting on the all-you-can-eat buffet of kelp-haunting flies 🪶
Gregory doesnt think it's fair that the gulls call him Bigmouth because he hardly ever says anything and theyre SOOO much louder more annoying smh smh #birds
I'm fairly certain the parakeets partying in the trees above the Manhattan Beach CVS were making fun of me and I was so there for it #birds
Surfboard shapers will tell you that a swallowtail is great for sharp pivoting and a crisp snaps🏄♂️ 🪶
Mtn. Chickadee, the quintessence of mesquite— like if one those flecks of bark was made animate and then given wings, will, and intention 🪶