March Arts Marathon 2023 Day Ten

Today’s post will be short and sweet. Not feeling up for much.

For some reason the saying “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” popped into my head. I like the image but find the adage a little distressing just because it makes me think of hunting somehow, predator-prey. Also I don’t think many birds would want to be held in someone’s hands – unless they were injured or tame and trained to do so.

I have held Saw-whet owls who had been banded and were about to be released. Quite an experience to hold and release a wild bird.

Saw-whet owl banding at the North Branch Nature Center

So first I looked up the phrase. One source says it comes from Ecclesiastes. Here is the complete verse: “For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. Seen in this light, a bird in the hand is worth much more than two in the bush, if only you don’t strangle it.”

Oh my.

It was also used in medieval falconry: “This proverb has its origins in medieval falconry, where a bird (falcon) in hand was more valuable than two in the bush (the prey). The earliest known usage in English is in the 15th century in “The Life of St Katherine” by John Capgrave.”

A falconry presentation at the North Branch Nature Center
Same bird from the front. Quite the expression.

Okay…

So better to keep what you have (the known?) than to risk it for the unknown.

Not so sure about that but…

I decided to be literal, and to replace “bird” with dragonfly, butterfly and moth as you will see…

I’ve taken dragonfly ID classes but not sure what kind this is…(clubtail, skimmer, darner, emerald). No, not an emerald. Probably a darner. Bryan Pfeiffer, Help!

Addendum: Bryan says it’s a Female Stream Cruiser. Nice name!

A Pearl Crescent butterfly about to go on down the road.
This Cecropia moth was “born” on my porch. I raise them sometimes. It’s freshly minted and ready to fly off into the great wide world. Well actually it doesn’t get very far and only lives to mate and die within a week or so of its emergence from the cocoon.

“…are worth more than two (birds this time) in a bush.“

Two motmots that I photographed in Costa Rica

Well they’re not exactly in a bush but close enough. I certainly like them better that way than in a hand.

Bye for now
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2 thoughts on “March Arts Marathon 2023 Day Ten”

  1. From bird to dragonfly to butterfly to moth and back to bird. Some kind of cycle.

    Sent from my iPhone

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  2. maddywinfield's avatar maddywinfield says:

    Totally fascinating,beautiful, and profound. It’s also mysterious, that phrase. A curious exploration. I loved the journey from bird to dragonfly. Thanks

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