Two Ouzels
The sight of an ouzel always compels me to pause. I’m incapable of just walking by – they demand appreciation. They seem almost to be spirits of living waters as they bob on stones before diving in, whether it’s into a gently rippled alpine pond or a raging spring rapid.
Interesting! Is this Cinclus mexicanus? I was only familiar with the Ouzels in Europe (German “Amsel”, which even sounds similar to Ouzel).
Yes, Cinclus mexicanus. “American dipper” is probably the more technically correct common name, but people in the West commonly call them ouzels or water ouzels. I can think of at least one toponym that shares the name as well (Ouzel rapid on the Middle Fork of the Salmon). It’s certainly my primary, first-to-mind word for them.
I just looked up “ouzel” and they are a type of thrush. Here in Iceland, the Redwing thrushes will descend soon by the thousands for their autumnal feeding on rowan berries.