Putting on a (Swallow) Show - A Night on the River

Each fall, hundreds of thousands of tree swallows gather each night on the lower Connecticut River. Perhaps gather isn't the right term. It's more like a swarm. They dance and mingle as the daylight fades, eventually coming together in a perfectly choreographed dance above a single island then, all at once, they funnel down into the tall reeds to nest for the night. It is incredible. I've blogged about it before. We try to take the boat out to see them every autumn before they migrate south. It's truly the stuff of National Geographic.

This year, we took Cece and my parents. Cece saw the birds last fall, but she was probably too young to appreciate the spectacle. This year, she understood better what she was seeing, but tended to be more interested in devouring the snacks on hand. Maybe next year (third time) will be a charm? Regardless, it was as mind blowing to witness as always, in fact, it just keeps getting better. The only difference is this year, I have terrible pictures and no video because I was too busy trying to keep a very active toddler from climbing out of the boat. If you don't believe me about how amazing this is, check out this recently published article from the New York Times that includes more video clips and even shows what the birds captured leaving the island in the morning on a weather radar loop. It's incredible to see. And if you ever happen to find yourself in southern New England in the early fall, be sure to make a point to visit the swallows. The show begins promptly at sundown and they never miss a performance.