The Hermit Thrush is not generally thought of as a backyard bird. It IS known (by birders) to be a very gifted singer, but one must go to the higher mountain forests to hear the song. I've been blessed to have this bird hanging out in my backyard for the past several weeks. No, it's not singing, but I know that it is carrying that song somewhere within its...heart, maybe? And in a few months I'll be standing in a lofty green cathedral somewhere, and that song will be stirring up echoes in my heart. As Annie Dillard would say, "The least I can do is try to be there."

The song of the Hermit Thrush can be heard here:
http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/Song/h7590so.wav