The Mockingbird

….and its mischief

The natural world, in all its wildness and brutifulness (my word for its beauty and brutality combined), holds the innocence that humans forget.

It reminds us to laugh, to stop, and to be present.

Note, I’m including the super-nature-al in this assessment.

I like to imagine four-leaf clovers as gifts from the fae. They wait and wonder if we’ll “notice” and they cheer when we find the magic of being present…and find the present.

Sometimes I feel like I walk by a tree when working in the yard and it intentionally brushes my arm or face to say hi…Ok buddy, you need a hug, I’ve got you. Or maybe I’m wrong and it’s trying to slap me for doing something stupid like the trees throwing apples at Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Ok, It’s a hug….though it likely knows I need one more than it.

Last week I had a mourning dove get lost inside the chicken run predator proof netting and couldn’t find his way out (they have an opening). I picked him up and took him to the area they can fly in or out, opened my hands and he was free to fly…but he didn’t…he sat there in my hands….then he turned and gave me a questionable look. I am convinced he was memorizing my face and spreading the news of my helpful disposition to the others, but what I do know really, he could have been like lady, what the heck? Either way, it was a moment of meaningful curiosity and finally he bid me farewell and flew away.

Then there’s Alexander, my most flirtatious rooster. If he’s not getting attention he goes behind my back and gives me a gentle peck in the booty then runs off.

Nature is playful and mischievous.

There are so many examples, but there’s one that stood out and prompted me to write this post today.

The MISCHEVIOUS MOCKINGBIRD!

Falling in love with birds over the years, I share space with a mockingbird family, especially this little guy in the video and he’s hilarious.

He does the weirdest things and has let me get pretty close to him as he’s learned I’m no threat.

I have an old outdoor cat who mostly stays on the porch, but occasionally meanders with a march like gait slowly to the barn to pretend to hunt mice before deciding the cozy porch is more ideal for his lux life and returning.

This cat, Binxy, makes a distinct cat sound different than my other cats.

For many months I would be outside cleaning the coop, weeding, swimming, or doing other chores and I kept hearing Binxy make his little cat sound that is sort of like a whine for food. It’s hard to type out phonetics that could describe this sound….cat version of wuhwrr? huhrrr?

Finally, after thinking I was going mad, I spotted the culprit.

The mischievous mockingbird was mocking my cat!

He’d see me out, make the cat sound, then watch me look around wondering where the cat was.

I am certain he is quite amused with himself and I don’t blame him.

It’s a rather entertaining trick.

This little magician had me fooled.

I do not think this is an instance of imitation being a form of flattery either, as we know cats and birds don’t mix. Maybe it’s a way for the bird to get back at the threat imposed by the sneaky feline.

Now, I’m wondering if I can mimic a mockingbird sound and return the joke? LOL.

Of course there are types of mockery that can be cruel, but this is not that. I don’t think I need to elaborate.

I had not thought much, until this happened, about what types of sounds mockingbirds can mimic and it turns out, it’s rather vast.

“Northern Mockingbirds can mimic over 200 different sounds, including the songs of various birds, the calls of frogs, the sounds of crickets, and even mechanical noises like car alarms and lawn mowers.”

Just like your socks that get eaten by the dryer in the supernatural portal to another realm, so, too does nature have a mischievous side.

Humans that recognize this can bring more joy to daily life and interactions with nature. By recognizing the levity available with being present and building relationship with the world around us we bring care and respect, instead of being a passerby or thinking we’re above it.

Even in moments like this where I find myself give a momentary laugh to the little exchange with the mockingbird and find gratitude for my spirits being lifted….also I wonder how I can do the same in return.

Nature knows, and as such, it will let you see only what you are ready to see…only when you’ve shown yourself to be trustful.

The magic of life will meet you where you are at.

Mischief makers of the natural and supernatural world are looking to see if we’re still in touch with our own curiosity and child-like nature…that playful part of our inner-state that reveals a sense of reverence and is open to touching the intangible awe wrapped inside mundane days.

Nature isn’t mischievous because it’s trying to trick us, it’s a way to interact WITH us.

And so, the mischievous mockingbird will likely continue to fly around and make cat sounds like Binxy the cat and I couldn’t be more delighted.

We all need a little positive mischief making and play in this wacky world….if you can’t find it, look to the trees and befriend a bird…they might just surprise you.

The mockingbird reminds us of the importance of individual expression, communication, creativity and playfulness.

Ask yourself, what are you still mimicking from societal programming and conditioning that needs to be relinquished to greater self discovery? Children mimic as a tool for learning, but when this turns to copying and repeating in adulthood, without critical thinking, we bury our true nature, thus we miss the joy of our individuality…the mockingbird teaches us this.

Deeply symbolic of the importance of innocence, if the mockingbird is speaking (even in cat language), listen up. ;-)

(Unfortunately I haven’t been able to capture the sound to share, but if I do, I will update this post) :)

~ Mews and Mocks,

Angela