Podcasts about barn swallow

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Best podcasts about barn swallow

Latest podcast episodes about barn swallow

Sound Opinions
Busking & Opinions on Tunde Adebimpe

Sound Opinions

Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 51:00


Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Cary Baker about the musical tradition of street performance, also known as busking. The hosts also review the solo album from TV On The Radio lead singer Tunde Adebimpe and hear feedback from listeners on recent episodes.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Arvella Gray, "John Henry," I Blueskvarter Chicago 1964, Volume Two, Jefferson, 2000The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Tunde Adebimpe, "Magnetic," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "Ate The Moon," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "Pinstack," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "Drop," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "Blue," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "Somebody New," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "ILY," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tracy Chapman, "Stand By Me (Live At The Late Show With David Letterman)," Greatest Hits, Elektra, 2015Moondog, "Nocturne Suite Part 1," On The Streets of New York, Mississippi, 2019Cortelia Clark, "Bye, Bye, Love," Blues in the Street, RCA, 1966George Coleman, "Innocent Little Doggy," Bongo Joe, Arhoolie, 1969Fantastic Negrito, "Nobody Makes Money," Fantastic Negrito EP, Blackball Universe, 2014Violent Femmes, "Blister In The Sun," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983Ted Hawkins, "Strange Conversation," The Next Hundred Years, Geffen, 1994Mary Lou Lord, "St. Swithin's Day," Real, Deep Music, 1993Lucinda Williams, "Ramblin' On My Mind," Ramblin' on My Mind, Folkways, 1979Dom Flemons, "Charmin Betsy," Black Cowboys, Smithsonian Folkways, 2018Emmylou Harris, "Crescent City," Cowgirl's Prayer, Asylum, 1993Stan Rogers, "Barrett's Privateers," Fogarty's Cove, Barn Swallow, 1977Tsunami, "In A Name," Deep End, Simple Machines, 1992See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cortes Currents
FOCI reports increased numbers of Barn Swallows and Nighthawks, fewer heron nets

Cortes Currents

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2023 3:08


Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) are reporting a possible resurgence of the island's Nighthawk and Barn Swallow populations, but found fewer than normal Great Blue Heron nests. “FOCI has been interested in Species at Risk here on Cortes since we started. We have a section on our website about Species at Risk. You can go look them up. We love to engage the community. Each year, we put a spotlight on some Species at Risk to highlight them and bring awareness to the community. said Manuel Perdisa, Summer Intern with FOCI. “This year, we've been gathering data about nesting barn swallows and herons from the 20th July until the 11th of August.” “This is citizen science. It's data that we're collecting from the community on Cortes. It's through-out weeks, so the same bird might be counted twice.” There were 19 Barn swallow nests in the chart FOCI sent and 14 of these were in the vicinity of Blue Jay Lake farm. “The local farms have been seeing notable increases. All of this is citizen science, so these aren't hard numbers I can go into. When we get reports of large increases like that, that will really just mean there is something happening.” “I can tell you that we only had three reported heron nest sightings on the island. I was able to view the heron nests myself. They were still high up in some fir trees, but under the canopy where they were more protected and hidden away from predators. I'd really like to thank the community members who made me aware of the locations of these nests so that I was able to photograph them.” “Nighthawks are a whole separate deal. We were asking for bird counts, and, or just bird sightings. we've been recording data about the common Nighthawks from the end of July 31st until present. Some people would phone in and say they saw this many birds at this hour of this day, whereas others would phone in and just say they saw relatively many birds in this area this day.” “We haven't got a count on Nighthawks sightings, but based on Citizen Science reports, it seems we have had hundreds of Nighthawks sightings within this month.”

BirdNote
Barn Swallow, Natural Pest Control

BirdNote

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 1:45


Barn Swallows have adapted to nesting near people, and build their cup-shaped mud nests in barns or garages, or on protected ledges, often near each other. The good news? These twittery, flittery birds love to eat the insects that humans consider pesky.Imagine: 60 insects per hour, a whopping 850 per day. That's how much each bird eats.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

science birds pest control birding birdnote natural pest control barn swallow
Well Well Villanelle; A Killing Eve Podcast
The End of Killing Eve: "Hello Losers" Part III

Well Well Villanelle; A Killing Eve Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2022 61:47


We got a lot of things in the final episode, much of it simply ABJECT HORROR, but there were a few good things and at the top of that small pile of good, is the implied smash. So let's talk about it. Villanelle looks the happiest she's ever been and Eve is at her jauntiest. We could have had it alllllllll! However sadly, the only gay wedding we get is one that makes no sense, as Eve and Villanelle embark on their final mission to take out the 12.More than halfway into the “finale” and it begins to feel like there were only six episodes of the show written with the first and last split into two. The fluff that we get would be fine and not cause for alarm, had this not been dubbed as the final time we interact with any of these characters for the series.As always, if you have any thoughts (or feelings) about a topic we discussed or Polastri theories of your own to share, please do so by emailing us at heyyouguys@wellwellvillanelle.com or hitting us up on any of our social media accounts. Episode chapter marks + relevant links are below, and please follow us on all the things for daily screaming about #Villaneve #SheLives #BelieveInVillaneve #VillaneveEndGame #InLauraWeTrustED @wellwellvillanelle @wellvillanelleSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wellwellvillanelle - or - https://www.patreon.com/churchofmisandry/Coffee for those late nights: https://ko-fi.com/misandryGet you some misandrist gear: https://misandry.storeChapter Marks:PART III03:13 - Sapphic science and the implied smash05:31 - Repeating scenes to "amplify" the implied smash19:10 - Villanelle as the "bottom" forevermore19:54 - The Barn Swallow and bullshit with Pam and Carolyn21:48 - EVE HAS HER HAIR DOWN! In this Ted talk I will-26:39 - Carolyn talks to Eve, but it makes no sense30:07 - Pam informs Villanelle that Konstantin is dead34:34 - The now digital 12 sends Eve a location38:49 - Scoping out the Dixie Queen, the 12, & a wedding40:15 - Carolyn and Pam AGAIN... so Pam can walk away43:02 - Back to the Dixie Queen for murder and bullshit50:15 - Eve and Villanelle kiss for the last time53:36 - A beautiful gay wedding, where nothing makes any sense Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Birding By Ear
Swallows Part One

Birding By Ear

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2022 15:53


This is the first of two episodes dedicated to the sounds of swallows.  This first episode features Barn Swallow (3:26), Cliff  Swallow (7:28), Northern Rough-Winged Swallow (10:31), and Bank Swallow (12:06).    Helpful Links https://www.audubon.org/ https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/ https://xeno-canto.org/  

swallows barn swallow
Cortes Currents
The accelerating pace of Species becoming 'at Risk'

Cortes Currents

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2022 9:03


Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released a survey that showed the total number of marine species at risk within the Salish Sea doubled between 2002 and 2015. While the Discovery Islands are within the study area, the EPA study did not list specific locations. So Cortes Currents asked Max Thaysen, President of the Friends of Cortes Island, about the species of risk in our area. The Friends of Cortes Island identified 33 Species of Risk that live on Cortes Island either part-time, or year round. They have devoted specific pages on their website to 17 of these: Barn Swallow, Big-eared Bat, Blue Dasher Dragon Fly, Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Common Nighthawk, Great Blue Heron, Harbor Porpoises, Northern Goshawk, Northern Pygmy Owl, North Red-Legged Frog, Pacific Sideband Snail, Silver Spotted Skipper, Sooty Grouse, Steller Sea Lion, Threaded Vertigo, Western Screech Owl Western Toad. There are species whose situation is improving. FOCI is collecting reports of Humpback Whale sightings. Last April, FOCI and the HAKAI Institute partnered to organize a new citizen science sea star monitoring program on Cortes Island. During the summer, FOCI asked Cortes Island residents to submit photos of any Great Blue Heron they saw. On Heron Day, September 5th, volunteers counted 15 Great Blue Heron. In the course of our interview, Thaysen mentioned another species FOCI is observing. Forage Fish are not considered ‘commercially significant,' but they are critical to many other lifeforms around Cortes Island. Thaysen explained that, as a society, FOCI doesn't have the resources for an in depth study of the species at risk in our area. “I'm interested because the species extinction rate serves as a really good indicator of what's happening on the planet,” he said. “Scientists fairly consistently come up with a rough estimate of our current species extinction rate on planet earth as being a hundred times greater than the normal extinction rate.” Thaysen described the EPA study as “a pretty serious indictment,” on the scale of the “asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs.” The report states, “34% of all birds and 43% of all mammals that use this ecosystem are threatened, endangered or are candidates for status assessments.” This is worrisome because they are at the top of the food chain. For example, the health of Southern Resident Killer Whales is important because they are apex predators. “A healthy population of Southern Resident Killer Whales indicates the health of the whole food web beneath that. If they're doing well: then salmon are doing well; herring are doing well; prawns and shrimp are doing well; the river systems are doing well and the ocean systems are doing well. Pollution is sort of under control. So what I think this report is saying, when it says that the number of Marine birds and mammals becoming at risk is particularly worrisome, is that they indicate the health of the ecosystem.”

Cortes Currents
Cortes Island's newest conservation covenant

Cortes Currents

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 8:25


Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - On October 4th, the Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) announced a 16.5-acre conservation covenant linking Hank's Beach Forest Conservation Park to Poison Cove. “If we don't protect our intact forests and the mother trees and the interconnectivity of our natural systems, we're actually existentialist threats. Two years ago scientists were telling me there was 10 years to make a big change, so maybe there is eight years, but it's dire, it's important and there are a lot of people with holdings who care deeply about protecting ecosystems, wildlife fauna and flora,” explained Cathy Armstrong, Executive Director of the TLC. She believes this may be the 10th family that made such covenant on Cortes Island. (In the podcast Armstrong also mentions properties adjoining Whaletown Commons.) Most of these covenants came into being through the assistance of local biologist Sabina Leader-Mense. “She really works hard to identify properties where the ecological values, the ecosystem protection, and wildlife corridors exist. Over the years, we have been slowly adding those properties. She has meetings with landowners, explains what the process is and then we'll come in and walk the property with the landowners,” said Armstrong. In the associated TLC press release, the landowners said, “The reality is that many ecologically important areas like ours would be lost to future development were it not for the existence of The Land Conservancy of B.C.” This property, within the traditional lands of the Klahoose and Tla'amin First Nations, is a multi-aged forest, a significant wildlife corridor and home to seventeen species or ecological communities at risk. Blue-listed Band-tailed Pigeon, Barn Swallow, Great Blue Heron, Northern Red-legged Frog, and Wallace's Selaginella/Reindeer Lichens are on the property. Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Gray Wolf, and Cougar pass through here. Armstrong explained that TLC is a provincial land trust, with 245 covenants through-out British Columbia. “We're a registered charity supported by by members and donors. We are not a government body, so no tax dollars come to us,” she said. When the situation warrants, TLC sometimes purchases the properties it seeks to protect. “We encourage private landowners to think about conservation covenants because they are less expensive, protect the land and do not transfer the title,” said Armstrong. She added that conservation covenants delineate both buildable areas, where the owners can make any changes they desire (like a new house), and protected areas where the intact ecosystem is preserved. Photo credit: Screenshot of Cathy Armstrong taken during the interview

Nature Walks and Bible Talks
Barn Swallow and Driving Others Away

Nature Walks and Bible Talks

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2021 4:28


How can we avoid driving others away by the way we treat them? Music: Summer Days by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031 Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/-summer-days Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/3wiksi3J_KI

BirdNote
Swallows Return to Nest

BirdNote

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2021


Each spring, eight species of swallows — including this Barn Swallow — migrate north from the tropics to nest in North America. Tree Swallows and Purple Martins are especially dependent on man-made nestboxes. Tree Swallows nest over much of the continent, while Purple Martins are most prevalent east

Singwarte Media Field Notes
PFR17686, 06-05-2021, Barn Swallow, Hirundo r. rustica, Germany

Singwarte Media Field Notes

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2021 8:03


Strong winds have been persisting for weeks, making wildlife sound recording outdoors almost impossible at the moment. Fortunately, there are birds that breed in buildings, like barn swallows. In this case, even in an observation tower in a nature reserve.

germany rustica barn swallow
love/birds
Ep 8: Backyard Friends

love/birds

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2021 20:12


Reposted from April 23, 2020: Bill and Tassy broadcast from their backyard and are joined in the (somewhat drunken) revelry by a fiesty Northern Flicker (species featured in episode pic). Birds discussed: 1) Barn Swallow https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Swallow/overview 2) Northern Cardinal https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-cardinal 3) Solitary Sandpiper https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Solitary_Sandpiper/overview 4) Prothonotary Warbler https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/prothonotary-warbler

In A Turn Of Events
Life By Analogy: Bird's Nest

In A Turn Of Events

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2020 2:40


There are some people who just find a way to get things done. Not because they have unlimited resources, but because of their unlimited resourcefulness. They can take items they have access to (ideas, people, objects) and build upon that starting point to achieve a desired solution. They can make it happen with whatever is available. It's only fair to stop for a moment and admire the resourcefulness of a Barn Swallow. One of the most resilient species of bird I've come across. The story of their fortitude goes far beyond just the materials used to build their Bird's Nest. Look at the material they use to build their home....sticks, leaves, old feathers from other birds, mud. A bunch of stuff we see as useless and disgusting. I watched them build a house, have 5 babies, raise their young, and take off as a new family all within a one month span. It made me feel ashamed of the extra items I sometimes think I need to have in order to find fulfillment or success with a particular task. I learned from the Barn Swallows, that it's important to remember that we have everything we need. It's in our habitat, all around us. We just have to be willing to simplify, be resourceful. The lesson learned is one we have all heard before. Home isn't made by what type of material you use, or how fancy it looks. Home is where the heart is. Look around at the things you have, and you will realize that it's more than enough.

home nest analogy barn swallow
Allerton Park Bird Club Podcast
Diversified Farm at Allerton Park

Allerton Park Bird Club Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2020 36:49


Nate & Evan podcast live from the Diversified Farm at Allerton Park today. As a common nesting spot for Barn Swallow, Evan provides ID tips for the Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough Winged Swallow, and Bank Swallow. All of these swallows can be found at the same time on a power line. Nate provides helpful hints on how to remove a hummingbird from your garage. I will give you spoiler alert, it is not with chop sticks. We spend most of the episode answering questions from viewers. We have had some really great questions including:1. Why do birds tweet?2. Can birds from different species talk to each other?3. Why is the Red Headed Woodpecker the "mascot" of the club"4. How do you become a member?We also give a teaser on Nate and & Evan's upcoming birding trip to an Illinois mecca of birding.Listen, enjoy, and happy birding!

illinois farm id diversified barn swallow allerton park
Return of the Birds
The Scarlet Tanager and the Dog Days of August, and, Finally, the Silent End of the Season

Return of the Birds

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2020 13:24


Reaching the end of Chapter 1 in John Burroughs classic nature study, Wake Robin, the gentleman rambler describes the birds of July, the Scarlet Tanager, compares the Peewee’s hunting prowess and efficiency on the wing to the Chipping Sparrow, or Socialis fumbling pursuit of a month. The marvel and spectacle when the pigeon hawk, now known as a Merlin, unflinchingly chases a goldfinch. Concluding with the late season silence and August’s departures.

Return of the Birds
Episode 13: Spring in the Capitol, the Sylvian Chorus, Bluebirds, Robins, Snowbirds, Meadowlarks, Sparrows and Crows

Return of the Birds

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2019 34:49


Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs...

Return of the Birds
Episode 2: Welcome Back Flycatchers, Woodpeckers & Thrushes

Return of the Birds

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2019 21:03


Burroughs describes robin's ramshackle nest, the under appreciated socialis, or song sparrow, and his affection for the northern flicker.

Flute 360
Episode 53: Tips for Doublers with Jon Rice

Flute 360

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2019 66:09


Flute 360 | Episode 53: “Tips for Doublers with Jon Rice” (1:06:17) In today’s episode, Heidi talks with Jon Rice about being a multi-instrumentalist. Jon’s primary instrument is the saxophone, but he also plays the flute, clarinet, oboe, and bassoon. He gives valuable suggestions for doublers who need help transitioning between instruments and offers some practice suggestions. Listen to today’s episode to hear all the details! Episode 53 – Main Points: 0:25 – Gold Sponsor: Texas Flute Society – May 2019 Festival! 2:00 – Welcome! 2:35 – The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 3:54 – Listen to this podcast outside to get your Vitamin D! 4:42 – Today’s topic: Tips for Doublers 7:01 – Job Announcements 8:50 – Musical Chairs’ Website 10:47 – Flute Sonatas by Handel 11:10 – Fundamentals: Long tones, scales, etc. 12:05 – Jon’s Background 12:32 – Jim Davis, band director 17:31 – Jon dives into learning flute! 19:15 – Keyword: Curiosity 20:19 – “You’ve got to play the horn, you can’t let the horn play you.” – Jon 22:48 – Silver Sponsor: Straubinger Flute Company 25:44 – Instrumental Timbre 27:17 – Clarinet Timbre 28:28 – Eric Dolphy, American musician 28:33 – Mockingbird 29:02 – Barn Swallow 29:56 – Question: How to switch between flute to saxophone & flute to clarinet? 30:07 – Jon’s Answer 37:07 – Going back to basics. 40:00 – Jon plays exercises for doublers – listen here! 55:33 – Social media question – listen here! 56:06 – Jon’s Answer 57:08 – Heidi’s Answer 58:06 – Picks! 1:05:36 – Bronze Sponsor: J&K Productions’ Website Picks: Jon Adam Larson, saxophonist Topo Chico – Twist of Lime MiO Heidi Topo Chico – Carbonated Mineral Water Endangered Species Chocolate Dark Chocolate with Raspberries Episode 53 – Resources Mentioned: Heidi’s Website Jon’s E-mail Jon’s Phone: 918-843-0122 Episode 53 – Sponsors: Gold: Texas Flute Society – May 2019 Festival! Silver: Straubinger Flute Company Bronze: J&K Productions’ Website

The Board Boys Podcast
Season Three, Episode 10.5 - Wingspan

The Board Boys Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2019 40:01


What is that in the sky? It's a bird ... it's a plane ... wait, it's actually a bird! Wingspan is flying into homes and FLGS everywhere TODAY! We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than by doing a BONUS Board Boys Birdcast all about the Indigo Bunting, Spotted Sandpiper, BlackBellied Whistling-Duck, Canada Goose, Turkey Vulture, Bewick's Wren, American Coot, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Chimney Swift, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Swallow and all our other favorite types of birds.

Idiots With Opinions
Criminal Dogs, Road Kill, and Cows in Love | S3 E8

Idiots With Opinions

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2019 35:08


This week we have special guests like the Tapir, the Wooly Mammoth, and the Barn Swallow! A special animal related episode that is mostly Tuscan Crying over Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter. Crikey! Make sure you have a hospital nearby because these 30 minutes could get VENOMOUS!! Available now.

Fledgling Theories
Feathery Chemistry: using isotopes to track migration

Fledgling Theories

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2018 40:03


Stable isotopes are a pretty hot topic in bird research these days. But what are they, and how are they used? What can isotopes tell us about where and how birds are migrating? This month, we look at what the combined forces of isotopes and geolocators can tell us about Barn Swallow migration, as we discuss Keith Hobson & Kevin Kardynal's 2016 study, "An isotope (δ34S) filter and geolocator results constrain a dual feather isoscape (δ2H, δ13C) to identify the wintering grounds of North American Barn Swallows." Already familiar with the use of isotopes in biological research? Feel free to skip to minute 7:00. 

Chat Chow TV (HD)
Ben Potts / Blackbird Ordinary / Barn Swallow

Chat Chow TV (HD)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2014


Barn Swallow Contributed by Ben Potts • 1.5 oz Bulleit® Bourbon • 3/4 oz Byrrh Grand Quinquina • Dash of Lemongrass Tincture • Dash of Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters Add all ingredients, stir over ice, strain over a rocks glass with a big ice cube and garnish with a lemon zest.

Friday Fables
The Fable of the Swallow

Friday Fables

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2010


The Fable of the Swallowby Barry J. Northern A large roost of swallows settled about a tree, whose thinning branches fractured the sunset. One swallow among them stood on a high branch before her brood and proclaimed the end of Summer."My children. It is time for us to journey towards the Sun, to our wintering grounds."The children became excited, especially one young lad from the first brood who had been dreaming of the wintering grounds ever since an old swallow told him of the burnt fields, teaming with fat flies. More than the promise of a great feast under a strong sun, however, Firstborn desired to make nest and find a wife.He saw a younger brother on a lower branch, and hopped down to say farewell."I'm going now, brother, for I cannot wait. Will you fly with me?"Secondborn laughed. "No-one may fly as fast as you, brother. But what is the hurry? Will you not roost here tonight and wait for the flock to leave?""No, I want to be there as soon as possible. I'll make the finest nest you ever saw!" And with a flicker of feathers Firstborn was gone.Secondborn rose with the flock the next morning. He enjoyed the leisurely pace and the nightly roosts. Though he caught his food on the wing and kissed his wavering reflection as he passed over lakes to slake his thirst, he still took the time to look about him at the changing landscape. He had never imagined the world so large, nor so varied. The trees and mountains, sprawling man-nests and glittering seas, all of it swelled his heart through his glistening eyes.Another young bird took to flying with Secondborn, for she too admired the lands over which they travelled. They began to sit together when roosting more and more, and the old ones smiled and sang.Meanwhile, Firstborn flew with relentless speed towards the wintering grounds. He fancied he could see lines in the sky drawing him forwards, and he never doubted his path. He had passed other flocks, and roosted with them on occasion, but so eager was he to reach his destination, he always set off before the rest of the roost were roused by the rising sun.If it were a choice between taking a diversion for more plentiful fields and clearer waters, or a less desirable but shorter path, Firstborn always chose the latter. He reached the wintering grounds days before the rest of his brood. He stopped and looked around him for the first time since beginning his long flight. He felt drained of purpose. The fields were lonely, not at all as he had imagined, and though the food was plentiful, he almost felt too weak to feed.But feed he did, and his strength soon returned, though he had not the energy nor the inclination to build a nest for several days. He had still not begun to built when Secondborn arrived with the flock. The younger brother had already married his sweetheart on the journey, and as the happy pair settled down to make nest, they congratulated Firstborn on his speed, and spoke of all the wonderful sights they had seen on the way, but Firstborn just smiled, for he had seen nothing of which they spoke."Success is a journey not a destination."The Fable of the Swallow by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3here.Music by David Modica from the album, Stillness and Movement, track 2 Fresh Breath, and provided by magnatune.com