The Redstart

by John Burroughs

Standing in the road over in the woods,
I saw a lively little shadow cast by some object
above and behind me,
on the ground in front of me.
Turning, I saw the source of it —
The Redstart
Performing its astonishing gymnastics in a leafless oak tree…
It is the quickest
And prettiest
Of the flycatchers.


As featured on
The Daily Gardener podcast:

Words inspired by the garden are the sweetest, most beautiful words of all.
John Burroughs
John Burroughs

Leave a Comment