Ancient One
does flight ease
soul’s aching loss of life-mate
memories of fledglings flown into four winds
almost forgotten taste of first fish ever caught
morning light on so many hatchlings pipping shells
I would ask you to stop awhile
pause and share with me your history
but I will not
for that would allow yesterday to tether your dreams
here to my human ground –
cruel that way I pray never to be
fly and stay free, solitary Ancient One
even in the heat of the early morning
this male orchard oriole dashed about
from the very top of the highest pine tree
to the point of a small sycamore
to the shadows of the oaks
singing his song of territory
Kate and Petruchio are no longer bringing fish to the nest.
Wynd and Ice have other things to learn.
The nest is empty for now.
I have photographed the nest in a dreaming state.
Come this December I will again regularly visit the nest –
as it awakens and receives preparations for another clutch of eggs.
Mom osprey and two of her chicks.
Can you find them both?
An immature osprey has a bright orange-red eye (that should help you id them).
this osprey exploded off the limb just over my head and headed for another crappie
This is the eastern kingbird.
I love his scientific name: Tyrannus tyrannus – yes, like the dinosaur.
This bird rules his territory and will aggressively escort any other bird, up to and including eagles, out of it.
What he cannot rule is the trash that man leaves behind.
Look below his tail and across my copyright notice: fishing line.
Look above his right wing: a fishing line leader.
Follow the leader to the snarl of line above and to the left of the bird.
Thankfully I didn’t see this bird get caught – he is a flycatcher and has quick reflexes and keen eyesight.
I wish I could have removed the line – but the whole mess is 20 feet up the tree and way out on a small limb.
doc ellen's journey 