A miracle?

May 23, 2020. Sunset 8:13 PM.

Check this beautiful sunset from Monterey County CA thanks to Popchak. It doesn’t get much better than this. Thanks Rich.
-- Joe Pokrifka

Day 63 Windy. No bird.

May 23, 2020. Sunset 8:19 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

So many people out and about today. Quieter now. Windy. No bird.
Day 63 sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 62 quiet conversation

May 22, 2020. Sunset 8:19 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Quiet conversations up and down the street. Our bird enjoying the company.
Day 62 sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other BH

Day 61

May 21, 2020. Sunset 8:18 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Another day- glad to be here to see it end.
Day 61 sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Warm up act for the bird

May 20, 2020. Sunset 8:17 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Our star bird came by and started singing just after the bell stopped. Maybe she wants her own solo set. Spreading her wings? Listen to our intro for the bird.
Day 60 sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 59 Two Songs Converged in the Air

May 19, 2020. Sunset 8:16 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Each chiming in at their own slow pace, the bird and the bell smash into one another for a moment. My favorite duet so far.
Day 59 sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.-- BH

sun event: 5/19/2020 8:04pm ...sound of two ravens

sun event: 5/19/2020 8:04pm ...sound of two ravens special day: sun peaking through a tree at sunset... berkeley, ca

I made this short video on Ariel's birthday - my favorite day of the year!
-- Wendy Reid

Look UP!!

Light! In the heavens...

The best time to view Swan will be at the end of May if it doesn't break apart first
May 15: Visible in the northern hemisphere: low on the horizon
May 17: Reaches its minimum elongation from the Sun
May 18: In Perseus and at its brightest and visible low in the northeast
May 26: Reaches its closest point to the Sun in its orbit and will move from morning to evening sky
Comet Swan

Day 58 Sparse Bell

May 18, 2020. Sunset 8:15 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Standing close by. LOUD!
Day 58 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.-- BH

Day 57 Early Birds

May 17, 2020. Sunset 8:14 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Our neighbors Bernie and Mardi were waiting on the street even before we rolled the bell out this evening. The other birds must have taken the night off. Too windy?
Day 57 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 56 neighbor tracked down the bell

May 16, 2020. Sunset 8:14 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

We met a neighbor from another the block when she swung her bike around after riding past Norman as he was ringing the bell. She said she’d been hearing the bell for a while and was wondering where it was and why it was ringing at a different time every night. She took a turn giving it a swing and we were all pretty delighted. I hope she comes by again. It seems like we will be here doing this for a long time.
Day 56 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.-- BH

Day 55 Six Feet of Separation Ensemble 3

May 15, 2020. Sunset 8:13 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


This time Beth Custer and her husband, Federico Cusigch (thank you for the video!), joined veterans Norman Tuck, Elisabeth Beaird, Richard Marriott (and the bird) of the “Six Feet of Separation Ensemble”. Maybe sound coming later…
Day 55 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 54 Norman takes a solo

May 14, 2020. Sunset 8:12 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Norman taking a solo this evening, while I took a quick break from an online concert to hang out the window for the sunset. Then back in for the rest of the program of Electronic Music works from our students—Congratulations!!!
Day 54 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.-- BH

magic hour above Lake Superior

May 14, 2020. Sunset 8:27 PM.
Ironwood, MI.

“You never see “yellow” like this”.

“If the photo is enlarged, you can see the ground sparkle”.

“Going to bed but then took this. Oh boy. Walt Disney-ish”.
-Kathy Roman -

2020 May 13 Seattle Golden Chain Sunset

A beautiful golden glow reigns strong in this corner of my garden.

We planted this ten years ago.

The bees love it.

The land is hit by virus, but also the Murder Hornet.

A massive reminder - life is so fragile.

Fragile humans, fragile bees.

 But this moment.

Bees happily greet the golden locks of flowering joy.

And I happy, and healthy, rejoice.

~ Caterina De Re, Seattle 

Day 53 Even the bird pipes up

May 13, 2020. Sunset 8:11 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Catching up on the news. (Even the bird pipes up)
Day 53 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 52 drive-by Birthday party

May 12, 2020. Sunset 8:10 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Escaped balloons making a tiny crinkling accompaniment to the bell until the sudden Birthday honking song for our neighbor across the street!
Day 52 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other -- BH

Day 51

May 11, 2020. Sunset 8:09 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Here’s our bird on a wire…
Day 51 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.-- BH

Day 50 – Mother’s Day

May 10, 2020. Sunset 8:08 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Happy Mothers’ Day to all the mothers today. It’s been almost 25 years since my Mother and I celebrated this day together, and I've missed searching through that section of cards in the store every year. My mother was a lovely, funny and smart woman, and I enjoy thinking of her and celebrating her memory today in a world so different from the one she had known.
Day 50 sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. -- BH

Sunset in southeastern, Michigan

Sunday, May 10th, 2020. Sunset 8:43 PM.

- Maria Mykolenko

Day 49 - The Bird is back

May 9, 2020. Sunset 8:07 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

The bird is back – right on cue- in this tree.
Day 49 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.

Day 48

May 8, 2020. Sunset 8:07 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Fog! Preview of summer.
Day 48 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. From one season to another, t00? --BH

Day 47

May 7, 2020. Sunset 8:06 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Grateful for another day. Where's our bird ?Listen?
Day 47 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Full moon Sunrise on Thur 7 May 2020—Nancy Beckman

Sunrise 6:05 AM on Thur 7 May 2020. Berkeley, CA.
full moon sunrise from the garden
-- Nancy Beckman and Tom Bickley

5.7.20 Full Moon Sunrise by Rae Diamond

May 7, 2020. Sunrise 6:05 AM PM.
Berkeley, CA.

Bell & voice early in the morning, a few hours before the full moon peaked.
- Rae Diamond

Day 46 *

May 6, 2020. Sunset 8:05 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Listen to the return of the “Six Feet of Separation Ensemble” with special soloist – that lovely bird—joining the big bell, Chinese gong and Gankogui. I really like that the bird has joined us lately. These guys are good together!
Thanks Norman Tuck, Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott.
Day 46 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.--BH

Blessings from up North

May 6, 2020. Sunset 8:17 PM.
Ironwood, MI.

End of the day’s blessings from my dear friend Kathy Roman up north. (They are blessed with a bit more sunlight up there already).
-- Kathy Roman

Day 45

May 5, 2020. Sunset 8:04 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Standing by neighbor’s window — Listening to songs of people and birds crisscrossing wires and pink trails.
Day 45 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.-- BH

Day 44

May 4, 2020. Sunset 8:03 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Past the bell after the dog beyond the birds… the sirens all around.
Day 44 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 43

May 3, 2020. Sunset 8:02 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

a lot of little things going on- benign and gentle evening
Day 43 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other -- BH

Day 42

May 2, 2020. Sunset 8:01 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Listen as the streetlights spring into action early this evening.
Day 42 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.-- BH

Day 41

May 1, 2020. Sunset 8:00 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

I love this bird who has been joining us lately. Such a pure little song.
Day 41 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.--BH

rolling along

May 1, 2020. Sunrise 6:15 AM.
Albuquerque, NM.

covid's rolling along in nm, but the sun seems to roll on right over it.
- Erik Ehn

Sunrise & Sunset May 23,2020

Treasure
Nests Alone
Takes eons

Savor the sun
Rise and fall
Fall and rise

Cold clear truth
Echoes up
From the dank well

--
Evangel King

Day 40

April 30, 2020. Sunset 7:59 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Who were those masked men? Listen from down the street.
Day 40- sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.-- BH

sun event: 4/30/2020 lulu & the sunset

April 30, 2020. Sunset 7:59 PM.
Berkeley, CA.


7:51 - lulu and the sunset
7:58 - a bit later...with birds
berkeley, ca...(on my porch)
- Wendy Reid

Sunrise, 4/30/20 (and multiple mornings throughout April)

Sunrise, 4/30/20 (and multiple mornings throughout April) 
Chochenyo Ohlone Ancestral Land (AKA Oakland, CA)

 Yay for the expanding Birdsong!
Yay for the birds!
Yay for avian harmonies!
Yay for less cars on the freeway!

 Is this unexpected blessing,
 from this devastating tragedy,
happening because there are more birds now,
or because we can hear them better without freeway sound overload,
or because they feel safer now,
or because I’ve slowed down enough to really listen?

 It doesn’t matter.
Birds!
Birds!
Blessed Birds!
Sing us home.
Eric Kupers

Day 39

April 29, 2020. Sunset 7:58 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Norman on the big bell. Chloe as window scratcher.
Our evening offering. Here
Day 39 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 38

April 28, 2020. Sunset 7:57 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Subdued evening. We say goodbye to Norman's lovely nephew, Alan who passed away earlier in the day.
Day 38 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 37

April 27, 2020. Sunset 7:57 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Close bell, distant world.
Listening from behind a bush to get out of the wind.
Day 37 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 36

April 26, 2020. Sunset 7:56 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Sunset and Moonrise up there. Musical metal from China, Africa and Pennsylvania down here courtesy of Elisabeth Beaird, Richard Marriott and Norman Tuck. Listen.
Day 36 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.- BH

Sunset poem on my 70th - Evangel King

April 26, 2020. Sunset 7:55 PM.
Berkeley, CA.

Sunset poem on my 70th
This very afternoon
In the heart of bloom
Comes

The sweetest desire
So secret
The garden

6 feet apart
No touch
All honored

We dance
Spinning
Each heart’s desire
As one

This very sunset
Ringing out
Day for Night’s
Stealthy return

Earth our home
Spinning
Brings Day
Brings Sunset
Brings Night
Brings Sunrise
Again, again, again …
-Evangel King

Sunrise, East Providence, Rhode Island

Saturday April 25, 2020, 6:10am

- Alyce Santoro

Day 35

April 25, 2020. Sunset 7:55 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Listen?
Day 35 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 34

April 24, 2020. Sunset 7:54 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Listening.
Day 34 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. --BH

april 24, sunset 7:53 PM berkeley hills

xoxo-- Thea Farhadian

Day 33

April 23, 2020. Sunset 7:53 PM.
San Francisco, CA.
.
Steady ringing. Windy evening. Listen.
Day 33 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.-- BH

Day 32

April 22, 2020. Sunset 7:52 PM.
San Francisco, CA.
.
COVID19 sunset dance around the bell. You can guess who shelters in place together.
Day 32 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. --BH

Day 31

April 21, 2020. Sunset 7:51 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Listen from this corner.
Day 31 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. --BH

Day 30

April 20, 2020. Sunset 7:50 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Gusts. Leaves. Birds. Sirens. Not good. Listen.
Day 30 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -- BH

sweet sonic soup

April 19, 2020. Sunset 7:49 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Serving up a sweet sonic soup this evening. Norman and I had some unexpected company when our friends Iris AlRoy from Bridge Storage and Art Space and Hallie McConlogue joined us with some lovely little bells. Hallie had us follow the sundown with a bit of song— Listen.
a momentary reprieve.
Day 29 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.-BH

colored air

April 18, 2020. Sunset 7:48 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Cloudless sunset. Just a transition of colored air. Two bells performed by guest ringers. Listen. From my recording spot down on the corner, I got so excited when I heard another bell join the big bell that I forgot to take a photo. This one is of the twilight.
Thank you, Elisabeth and Richard for joining us this evening!
Day 28 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

the other corner

April 17, 2020. Sunset 7:47 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

The other corner. Less windy. Friendly conversation. Listen.
Showing the mic and recorder I've been using to make the recent stereo recordings to Chloe.
Day 27 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Sheltering in the bushes

April 16, 2020. Sunset 7:46 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Sheltering from the wind. The best spot I've found for recording is crammed between two bushes in front of someone's house. Listen. I'm a lurker - hoping nobody walking by will notice me standing there. The skate boarder was an extra treat this evening.
Day 26 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Would have been tax day

April 15, 2020. Sunset 7:46 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

At the corner with the crows. Listen
Day 25 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Day 24

April 14, 2020. Sunset 7:45 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Clear sky, air, streets. Radio in a neighbor’s window. Duckling procession of family on bikes heading up the hill.
Day 24 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Listening from the corner

April 13, 2020. Sunset 7:44 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


Light car and foot traffic passing by the corner. (It sounds lovely from here)
Day 23 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

The plane and the bell

April 12, 2020. Sunset 7:43 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


Happy Easter to everyone who celebrated today. Simple evening with a long plane and a big bell. Far away. Listen
Day 22 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Easter Sunrise over the Himalayas

Easter day, sun peeps over the Himalayas.

Sunrise near Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, India.
It is 5:56 AM.
Photo taken by my friend Tsunma Kalden.
This is the view from "the cave in the snow".
This is where Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo did her 12-year retreat.
The environment says it all. Quietly.
Peace. Solitude. Love. Meditate.

~ offering from Caterina De Re

Hear ye Hear ye-- THANK YOU!!!

April 11, 2020. Sunset 7:42 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


Connecting to all the noisy commemorations to medical, service and essential workers everywhere. Thank you!
Day 21 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH
WATCH THIS-- It's wonderful!

Thoughts While Travelling at Night

April 10, 2020. Sunset 7:41 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


I love this corner. You can see the sun from here and the stately pace of the bell gently accompanies the sun from disc to smear.
Day 20 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Mardi joined us this evening reading the poem “Thoughts While Travelling at Night” by Tu Fu. Listen
Light breeze on the fine grass
I stand alone at the mast.
Stars lean on the vast wild plain
Moon bobs in the great river’s spate.
Letters have brought no fame
Office? Too old to obtain.
Drifting, what am I like?
A gull between the earth and sky.

Bells all around

April 9, 2020. Sunset 7:40 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


Distant bells and a perfectly round red ball of a sun. Standing on 3 different corners at the end of our street, listening to a quiet concert of bells-- Norman ringing the big bell from the middle of the block. Richard with his Gankogui double cowbell. An unexpected moment of relief. Listen.
Day 19 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Speaking of the plague--

April 8, 2020. Sunset 7:39 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Happy Passover! Standing on the corner with Mardi and Bernie nearby (but not too nearby) looking at the same view as yesterday but without the sun.

Listen. Day 18 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.
From Mardi this evening-- Spanish proverb “How lovely it is to do nothing and then rest after”.
Followed by—“Crows” by Judith Barrington
Crows startle the clouds
with grievances never resolved
and warnings blurted into thin air.

Once in a while, the cries of all those who tried to survive
pour from the funnels of their throats.
No wonder we never really listen.

Like most animals, crows tell the truth:
working hard to penetrate our tiny tubular ears,
they cackle on telephone lines while we watch TV.

Once I did listen to a crow, but even when I had heard
his whole story, there was nothing I could do.
Next, I thought, I'd have to listen to squirrels and coyotes.

I like to think I deal with my share of rotten truths
but I couldn't bear to kneel down in damp grass
and listen to the hedgehog or the mole.

Day 18 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.

4.7.20 Full Moon Sunset by Rae Diamond

April 7, 2020. Sunset 7:37 PM.
Berkeley, CA.


Listen
Bell and voice as the sun set and the full moon rose on 4/7/2020. Venus was also glowing extra bright just above the western horizon because it was aligned with a star cluster.
-Rae Diamond