Thump. What was that? I thought to myself.
It was a bird, there are feathers on the window. Is the bird dead? I wonder, but I don’t see it and so it must be OK.
A bit later in the day my daughter says to me, “Dad, it is kind of sad, but that is the way it is sometimes.” I follow her through the yard and she directs my attention to the motionless body of a young robin laying dead under a pile of fresh picked pasies. So it had died after all.
As the evening was beginning to cool off and I opened the window for a breeze. A robin lands on the lawn and cautiously begins walking towards the location where the other bird died. I move silently at the window to get a good look. The body of the other bird is missing. Slowly zigzagging the robin approached the location of the dead bird. There is something in its beak. It is a small butterfly. It gets to the location and finds that the bird is gone. Momentarily it walks off beginning a soft hollow chirp or tweet. It leaves with the butterfly offering saved for a hopeful reunion.
The bird received funeral services from three girls 9-7-7 and one boy 6 complete with flowers and a new rock to mark the grave in the flower garden under the cherry bush.
—
Sprouting Wings is the newest Un-Book from Scott E. Franson. It is based on my journal entry from July 25, 2004. It was sad and amazing to see the robin approach the location of the other robin’s death and hear the sad sounds of mourning. It was a chance of a lifetime to witness such an event.
Really nice design… to go along with a nice little story. This also happens to us with robins and our slilding glass door.
Beautiful illustration and well told story. I have to share a couple of things with you about birds hitting glass. My nickname this past summer was the bird whisperer because I brought a few “goners” back to life after hitting our patio doors. I held them in my cupped hands and breathed on them to warm them up. They go into shock initially, and if something isn’t done right away, they usually die. But how many times do we actually witness the crash? I was lucky (as were the birds) that I figured this out. They all eventually came to, looked at me briefly and then flew off…quickly! So, if you happen to witness a crash again, perhaps you could try this.
The other thing I’d like to share is there are reflective decals made especially for birds. They come in leaf patterns and look like etched glass, but it’s amazing how we haven’t had one incident since last summer. You can find those at most bird stores .(Like the Wild Bird Centers where they sell feeders and seed.)I hope this info was helpful :) Again, wonderful illo.
Another great un-book – I really like the patterns on the wings. And thanks for sharing the story.
Beautiful illo, very delicate :)
I LOVE the way this style is going. Really great application. Nice concept as well.
wonderful story with a beautiful illustration. i love your color palette… and your doodles are excellent too! great work!
I think this is my favorite so far, especially the journal entry.
I was just admiring your site and your images, and I have to say that there is not a single thing that you do that isn’t inspiring to me. I think back on your class from time to time and wish like crazy that you could have stayed that semester and finished it with us. There is so much to learn from you, and I wish I could have experienced you more as a teacher in the classroom, but I will always refer to this site to continue learning from you outside of the classroom. This is a wonderful site, a wonderful image, and a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us. I will always appreciate it!