And on the bright side ...

These photos were sent by a friend who found them on Facebook.    

The first photo appears to be real, as in unedited or unphotoshopped.  I can imagine this occurring and would be thrilled to get such a photo.

This second photo seems unreal.  If it's supposed to be a robin's nest, it's a little too tidy and not muddy enough.  And the nest basket appears too big.  This tiny operatic singer looks a little too staged.  But the photo is totally cute and I can imagine that it might happen in real life, albeit unlikely to be captured in a photo.

Really depressing, and more uplifting

1.  From the front page of the on-line 09/19/2019 New York Times:

Birds are Vanishing from North America

The number of birds in the United States and Canada has declined by 3 billion, or 29 percent, over the past half-century, scientists find.

2.  And something more uplifting from the on-line times 09/21/2019 NYT:

Sydney is for the Birds. The Bigger and Bolder, the Better.

From the 08/31/19 New York Times

A Rare Greenshank is Spotted in Russia

And just seeing now, from 02/09/2019:

A Rare Bird Indeed:  A Cardinal That's Half Male, Half Female