Two's Company ...

“The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.”

    ~ J.M. Barrie

      ~ 1860-1937

     from “The Little White Bird”

               ~ 1902

  ~   Barrie is the creator of Peter Pan, who first appeared in “The Little White Bird”

Two’s company for these sweet tree swallow fledglings – until their mother delivers supper to the nesting box on the second evening of summer, June 21, 2020, at Trexler Memorial Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania, then it’s three’s company! But for now they dream about supper for a little while longer.

 

While there are young or eggs in the nest, adult tree swallows frequently dive bomb intruders, including curious humans, and attempt to drive them from the area – I personally know this to be true, and so does my camera!

 

The Bluebird of Happiness In Winter ...

“…So be like I, hold your head up high

Till you find a bluebird of happiness

You will find greater peace of mind

Knowing there’s a bluebird of happiness

And when he sings to you

Though you’re deep in blue

You will see a light creep through

And so remember this, life is no abyss

Somewhere there’s a bluebird of happiness

 

For life is sweet, tender and complete

When you find the bluebird of happiness

You will find perfect peace of mind

Knowing there’s a bluebird of happiness

Two hearts beat as one

Beneath a new found sun

We are in a world that’s just begun

And you must sing his song, as you go along

When you find the bluebird of happiness …”

               ~ “Bluebird of Happiness”

            ~ composed in 1934 by Sandor Harmati, 

                    with words by Edward Heyman

    & additional lyrics by Harry-Parr-Davies

            ~ recorded by American operatic tenor

            Jan Peerce & other artists

A sweet and beautiful male Eastern Bluebird seemingly poses while perched above the snow on a winter afternoon in early February at Trexler Memorial Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

 

His Eye Is on the Sparrow ...

“…I sing because I’m happy

I sing because I’m free

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know he watches me …”

 ~ “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”

 ~ Gospel hymn

 ~1905

 ~ Civilla D. Martin, lyricist, Charles H. Gabriel, composer

~The hymn is most associated with actress-singer Ethel Waters who used the title for her autobiography

~ Mahalia Jackson’s recording of the song was honored with the

 Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2010

The theme of the song is inspired by the words of David in the Psalms and Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalm 32:8); “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value then they?” (Matthew 6:26); and “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear yet not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31).

A sweet sparrow eyes the beauty of a late May sunset on a gorgeous spring evening at Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.