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Love and Risk Are Inseparable, With Gordon Hempton
Will a bird risk his life for love?
© patrickkavanagh cc
Gordon Hempton, the Sound Tracker, believes there are lessons we can learn from listening to birds. When Gordon was traveling in the Australian Outback, he heard a Rufous Whistler — like the one pictured here — singing his heart out. Gordon notes the delicate nature of the male's work: “When the bird does that, he not only announces his presence to all potential mates, but also to all potential predators. Love and risk are inseparable.”
The soundscape featured in today’s show was recorded by Gordon Hempton and provided courtesy of QuietPlanet.com.
BirdNote®
Love and Risk Are Inseparable
Featuring Gordon Hempton
Interview by Todd Peterson
This is BirdNote.
[Song of a Rufous Whistler]
[Editor's note: Although the bird is referred to as a Willie Wagtail, it is in fact a Rufous Whistler. Sorry for any confusion.]
Gordon Hempton, the Sound Tracker, believes there are lessons we can learn from listening to birds.
There’s a Willie Wagtail. Man, I heard him in the Australian Outback... [Song of Willie Wagtail]
…this little bird, which was right over the branch above me, and I was afraid to have eye contact ‘cause he might flutter off…so I never got to see Willie, but he belted out his tune…and of course it’s the males that sing, right…
I mean why is he belting out this tune, because he could just say, ‘Hey ladybirds, I’m just here, available. Let’s get on with it. This is essential for our survival. Let’s just do it.’
No…he’s like, ‘pew pew pew…’ and just going on - he’s throwing his whole self into the experience. Passion is the only word that comes to mind when you hear his song.”
“But guess what? When Willie does that he not only announces his presence to all potential mates, but also all potential predators.” [Song of Willie Wagtail]
“Love and risk are inseparable.”
The soundscape featured in today’s show was recorded by Gordon [Hempton] and provided courtesy of QuietPlanet.com.
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Song of Rufous Whistler recorded by Gordon Hempton of QuietPlanet.com.
BirdNote’s theme music was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
Producer: John Kessler
Executive Producer: Chris Peterson
© 2013 Tune In to Nature.org September 2013 September 2017 Narrator: Mary McCann.
ID# hemptong-03-2013-09-18hemptong-03 Marantz V Track 80 3:14
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