While sometimes birding while I sleep, I also sometimes write when I'm asleep.
That's why I sometimes blurt out preposterous statements like;
"I'm thinking that the Mockingbird may be about the most mentioned bird in American literature and song - or one of them anyway"
Upon re-reading this statement, I realized it was quite a bit over the top. I guess what I meant to say was that the Mockingbird is one of the more beloved birds in American literature and song - a bit closer to reality.
As to what bird, or birds, are most mentioned in literature and song, I guess it would take a whole pile of research to figure that out - a whole lot of reading. What birds figure large in American writing? I suppose Crows, Gulls, Pigeons, Sparrows, Robins, Hawks, Buzzards, Chickens and Ducks, must make a fair showing. Seems like more modern writers are getting better at more specific naming - the poet and novelist Jim Harrison being one example, that comes to mind.
In new songs birds are still showing up - John Prine had Mockingbird in one of his songs not too long ago. Hey how about "The Townsend's Solitaire" - could make a good dance tune : " we all did the Townsend's Solitaire, until it was time to come up for air". Hey, that might have potential.
Jeff Gibsonjust sayin', inPort Townsend Wa

From: gibsondesign at msn.com
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 09:53:53 -0700
Subject: [Tweeters] Asleep While Birding




A bird I really like is the Mockingbird, and I've seen and heard them in various places in my scanty travels across North America. I'm thinking that the Mockingbird may be about the most mentioned bird in American literature and song - or one of them anyway - and, to me, growing up a Puget Sounder, that added some extra allure to the creature. It sounded pretty cool in all those novels and tunes. It was exciting when I finally met one for the first time, in Texas, many years ago.
I was interested to read about the recent sighting of one in Kittitas county last week, not because I plan to go over there and try to find it, but because I'd just seen one the night before!
I was having one of those particularly vivid dreams, and in my dream a half-dozen or more male Harrier's were perched all together atop of a big pylon, like they were so many super-sized Rock Doves. That was unusual , I thought.
And then, through the heat waves, and sun glare - a smaller bird came down out of the sky, clearly backlit - a Mockingbird! - and it perched with the Harriers. What a great dream! I remember noting that it was sorta funny how all the birds in my dream were black/grey and white.
Then I woke up, my body still in Port Townsend. I don't know where I'd just flown - maybe New Mexico.
Jeff Gibsonsleeping in Port Townsend, Wa

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