Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Perspective makes all the difference which is just another way of saying “you are what you see.” A rather grim picture of life is painted by the military mind of Napoleon Bonaparte who observed, “There are two levers to set a man in motion, fear and self-interest.” What a dismal outlook on life. Somewhere along the way he must have missed all that is beautiful, all that is elegant. Nature, of course provides examples of both viewpoints, but how much richer we are if we choose to focus on that which enriches.
Take this bird for example, the Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, a species found above 5400 feet in the mountains of Panama and Costa Rica. There it feeds primarily on small fruits and berries, such as mistletoe and fuchsia, as well as insects. Its very long tail and prominent crest combined with its silky plumage presents the essence of elegance. These characteristics place it in close connection with the waxwings. The Phainopepla is its closest relative found in the United States. During courtship the male will offer berries to the female which to our mind carries an inference of refinement.
Lest we romanticize too much, we’re reminded that balance is also an important factor in maintaining a mental equilibrium. H.L. Mencken, an American journalist, provides us with that nudge toward reality: “An idealist is one who, on noticing that a rose smells better than a cabbage, concludes that it will also make better soup.”