Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Carolina Wren, Bohemian Waxwing, and a personal update

Last Saturday I drove to Putney School to look for the pair of White-winged Crossbills that had been reported there along with a flock of Bohemians. The Crossbills didn't show up at the feeder where they had been seen before, but a Carolina Wren was perching on top of a shrub nearby singing loudly. Of course as soon as I grabbed my camera it took off for a tree at some distance. Still I managed to get a couple of photos.



Their song  consists of a rich variety of phrases, uttered with a vocal force that's amazing in such a small bird.. 

I also observed a mixed flock of about 20 Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings in a crab apple tree, but the snow that had fallen the previous night made it difficult to get close. So I only got one fairly decent photo.




Now for a change of subject: 

I have been meaning to post an update on my brother whose bicycle accident last July resulted in massive head trauma  affecting mostly the speech center on the left side. After months of rehab he is home now, but things are far from ordinary. The accident resulted in him losing his speech. He understands questions but is unable to answer. He can't find the proper words - they come our garbled - nor can he string them together into a meaningful sentence.

I have been trying to imagine what that feels like. How do you fill the emptiness when that inner speech, that running commentary on your life is silenced? Speech is integral to thought and has been an integral part of our genes for about 40,000 years. On the outside he looks just the same as always, but losing that you lose a major chunk of who you are. I have difficulty wrapping my head around that fact.

He is receiving speech therapy of course and our hope is that other nerve cells will take over the function of those that are lost, hope that his brain is young enough to make that switch. Only time will tell.


Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment.


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31 comments:

  1. holdingmomentsMarch 1, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    Lovely to hear the song of the Wren; so different to our Wren here.

    I hope your brother makes a full and speedy recovery. It must be so difficult, and frustrating for him.

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  2. FeliciaMarch 1, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    Carolina Wrens are such spunky, attitude-filled little birds--I just love watching them. All the best to you and your brother--I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for his speedy recovery!

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  3. UnknownMarch 1, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    Great shots Hilke. But I'm sorry to hear about your brother. My injuries resulted from a bike accident also. Broken hip, shoulder, dislocated jaw. It took a lot of physio and perservence and sheer damn pain.All of which never ends. So keep the faith, it's possible to recover. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  4. theconstantwalkerMarch 1, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    My best wishes to you, your family and of course your brother. I hope he has a speedy recovery. Life can be so cruel at times.

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  5. jooMarch 1, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Waxwings are so beautiful and I love the recording:)

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  6. Kerri FarleyMarch 1, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Lovely Wren and Waxwing!!

    Sending positive vibes to your brother for additional healing!!

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  7. SondraMarch 1, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    The only thing YOU can do in this situation is just love your Brother MORE than ever, and that will help him tremendously. The Wren is such a super little bird I love to watch them and you got an execellent shot of that waxwing!

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  8. Dawn FineMarch 1, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    So Sorry about your brother...It must be so difficult for him.. I hope that his brain is able to heal and he can communicate again.

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  9. Bill S.March 1, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    Beautiful pictures. I hope your brother will regain his speech. Can he write or type what he feels? Or has his loss of nerves even damaged that ability.

    Good Luck.

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  10. Lynne at Hasty BrookMarch 1, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    I'm still looking for my lifer Bohemian Waxwing.

    i've been thinking about you and your brother. I hope the speech therapy restores his speech.

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  11. ArijaMarch 1, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    Thank you so much for including the song of that cute little Carolina Wren.

    I am so sorry to hear of the predicament your brother is in and sincerely hope that sufficient brain function can be restored to form at least cohesive thought. Losing the ability to speak is bad enough but it is much worse when linear progression of thought is disturbed.

    I have experience loss of speech when a platelet congealed on one of my man-made heart valves, shot into the brain and robbed me of speech for awhile.

    I also am caring for my husband who has Alzheimer's and it is so sad to see the vacant looks I so often get now when what is said to him just does not register.

    So you see, it is a really heart felt wish for your brother's recovery.

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  12. GuyMarch 1, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    Hi I wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog. Snow Buntings for me have always been a small flock of birds lifting off the road mostly unseen and disappearing across a field so I loved the chance to see your photos.

    Your waxwing photos will really help me identify the lone bird up in a tree top.

    Best wishes for your family I am hoping for a quick recovery for your brother.

    Guy

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  13. mickMarch 1, 2011 at 11:48 PM

    The song of the wren is really beautiful. I especially like the photo of the bird with a crabapple in its beak.
    Best wishes for your brother's recovery.

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  14. Johnny NutcaseMarch 2, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    So sorry about your brother. That has to be so hard, I hope he recovers quickly.
    Nice photos of the birds. I love watching the Carolina Wrens and Waxwings too. And yeah! Those wrens are SO chatty!

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  15. Hilke BrederMarch 2, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    Thank you all for your kind words and wishes for my brother's recovery.

    @Guy: I stopped by your blogs. You have some very interesting content. If you install the Follow gadget I would sign up to get your updates.

    @Arija: I have taken care of many people with Alzheimer's. I admire those who continue to do so at home. It's a hard job, particularly since you are rarely if ever rewarded with a smile and it's cruel to watch the gradual loss to experience joy.

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  16. Hilke BrederMarch 2, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    @Gary: I am sorry to hear that you are still suffering pain from your accident, but I am glad that this hasn't dampened your spirit. You always strike me as someone who is upbeat, full of energy and enjoys life.

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  17. John (Tucker)March 2, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    Excellent pic of the waxwing. Favorite bird! Have yet to see a Bohemian though. very sorry to hear about your brother. Best wishes for a speedy adjustment.

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  18. Stewart MMarch 2, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Hi - thanks for dropping by my blog - would be great if they were Marbled Godwits - that would be a real record! They are Bar-tailed Godwits - but your correct, the bird does not seem to mind the flag.

    In my other blog (http://payingreadyattention.blogspot.com/) I mention how often the birds stay close by after banding, and we get lots of retraps, so I am sure its not a real problem for the bird.

    Hope things improve for you brother. Stewart M - Australia

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  19. PatMarch 2, 2011 at 3:47 PM

    Nice shots of the Wren and Waxwing! I love watching the busy little Carolina Wren and hearing that cheery song!
    Hoping your brother continues to make progress.

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  20. NatureFootstepMarch 2, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    you have both waxwings? We have only Cedar waxvings. Would be nice to see the bohemian ne. :)

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  21. SpringmanMarch 2, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    Hilke,
    Thank you for the update on your brother. The description of the scope of his injuries is sobering. Suzanne and I wish your family strength and wisdom. Your brother has our prayers.

    Thanks for your pretty waxwing!

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  22. jeanlivingsimpleMarch 2, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    The song lively song of a Carolina Wren is my alarm clock. Neat captures of the cool songbird! The Bohemian Waxwing shot is very enjoyable!

    I have a very strong feeling that your dear brother is going to improve slowly but totally. Keep the faith!

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  23. UnknownMarch 3, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    The bird at the bottom is just gorgeous and the photo is fantastic! Well done.

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  24. Sallie (FullTime-Life)March 3, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Very best wishes for your brother's recovery. He has a hard long road ahead of him, but it sounds like he has all the best of help and support. So important.

    The bird pictures are wonderful. We have seen cedar waxwings..one of those never to be forgotten first sightings! Have never seen the Bohemians.

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  25. Appalachian LadyMarch 6, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    I have never seen a Bohemian Waxwing but occasionally see a Cedar Waxwing flock. Your photo of the Carolina Wren is great--one lives on my front porch year round.

    I hope your brother recovers fully and can communicate better soon.

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  26. Hilke BrederMarch 6, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    Again, thank you for your thoughtful words of encouragement and prayers for my brother. I am in frequent contact with my sister-in-law and hope to visit them in the summer. Thank you also for you compliments on my photos. We have had this amazing influx of birds from the north. That really cheered me up this winter. Glad though that spring is in the air!

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  27. eileeninmdMarch 7, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    Awesome shots, Hilke! The Waxwing is a beautiful bird. I would love to see it some day. I only see the Cedar waxwing here. I wish the best for your brother and will keep him in my prayers.

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  28. LarryMarch 8, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    That must be frustrating for your brother.I work in a field with people that have challenges with their speech and know that having patience with a person as they try to communicate is helpful. I hope that all goes well for your brother.

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  29. LarryMarch 8, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    I got so wrapped up in your brothers story that I forgot about the birds.I'd love to see a BWW and really do enjoy the song of the wren- nice photos too!

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  30. Hilke BrederMarch 8, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Thank you, Eileen.
    Thank you, Larry. I know it will take a lot of patience, both for my brother and his family. I was so happy to receive a two sentence email from him the other day.

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  31. Harold StiverMarch 9, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    I'm sorry to hear your brother hasn't come all the way back. That seems like a hugely frustrating thing for him to deal with.

    I hope he can make more progress.

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