White-crowned Sparrow, © Photo by Steve Kaye

Song of Courage | July 2016

Song of Courage


White-crowned Sparrow, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in Song of Courage

White-crowned Sparrow


There’s a small bird out there who has a lot to say.

About the state of the world today.

Food has been hard to find. Another tree has been cut down. And a hawk has been seen nearby.

Yet this bird keeps singing.

Not to ignore the world. And not to appear naive.

But to be one of those who sing.

Perhaps this bird knows there’s no reward for staying silent.

And maybe this bird believes that those with a song are called to sing their song.

So this bird’s song is more than just a pretty sound.

It’s a statement of courage.

It’s an affirmation of hope.

And it’s a declaration of strength.

All to show that nothing can stop one small bird.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

See more about Courage at:

Profile in Courage

Ordinary Courage


Help Birds Tip

Photograph Birds Respectfully

Why: Birds must exist, if we want to take photos of them.

How: Be a bird friendly photographer.

Here’s what I do:

Learn bird behavior so you can be in the right place at the right time.

Once you find a spot, become part of Nature. Generally this involves waiting quietly.

Avoid using recorded bird songs. These disrupt natural behavior, sometimes with harmful consequences for birds.

Wear earth colors, such as green and brown. Avoid white because this frightens some birds.

Move gently. If you cause birds to flee, you’re going too fast or moving too close.

Use a telephoto lens, which lets you take photos at a distance.

Never change, move, or damage anything that birds need.

By the way, I’ve found that using these techniques makes it easier to take better, more natural photos.

PS: See more stories and photo tips at:

Why Focus Matters

Photo Backgrounds Matter

How to Photograph a Marsh Wren

Nice Tail

Always Something

A Story in Every Face


Birding Resources

Would you believe there’s a book about just sparrows?

Now you can tell one little brown bird from another. See: Sparrows of the United States and Canada


Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation


You can help – Please share this blog with others.
Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

Web Site  |  Presentations  |  Blog  |  Photos  |  Articles


6 Comments
  • Beth Kingsley Hawkins
    Posted at 16:13h, 05 July

    “A bird doesn’t sing because he has an answer, he sings because he has a song…” (proverb) Heart, Beth

  • Penny Schafer
    Posted at 14:29h, 07 July

    Thanks for that Steve, I needed it today.

  • Lynette M. Smith
    Posted at 15:07h, 07 July

    Let your voice be heard!

  • Rose Webster
    Posted at 19:01h, 07 July

    Beautiful and soooo inspiring Steve. I cherish your work; it’s so needed in our crazy world today.

  • Joyce Rouse
    Posted at 13:59h, 09 July

    We are all Birds who have a song to sing.

    “Use the talents you possess,
    for the woods would be very silent
    if no birds sang except the best.”
    — Henry van Dyke:

  • Susan Bulger
    Posted at 15:55h, 14 March

    Filled with wisdom as always. Thanks.

Post A Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.