4 Quotes by Jon Young

If we learn to read the birds-and their behaviors and vocalizations-through them, we can read the world at large... if we replace collision with connection, learn to read these details, feel at home, relax, and are respectful--ultimately the birds will yield to us the first rite of passage: a close encounter with an animal otherwise wary of our presence.

As awareness grows, appreciation grows too. As appreciation grows, so does empathy.

In a culture in which “connection” usually refers to the strength of the cell phone signal, quieting the mind – even just sitting alone in the backyard, much less in the forest – can be a difficult rite of passage.

Eons ago, Homo sapiens were just as alert and aware as all other creatures, and for the same reason. They needed to be. Now we don’t need to be – or do we, but just don’t understand this anymore? Our sensory equipment and brains are still designed for this awareness. These instincts are still in each of us, just buried, maybe deeply buried. Connecting with bird language begins the process of unearthing them.