The row of trees provides a perch,
For birds of prey whose sharp eyes search,
The flooded fields that are so fine,
For waterfowl who wish to dine.

The foggy drippy days drag on,
I ate a mouse, but now it’s gone,
It’s not enough to fill the gap,
Too cold and wet to take a nap.

These leafless trees don’t camouflage,
No chilly bones do they assuage,
Perhaps a meal of ducks is best,
But snatching one will be a test.

The watchful drakes stand on alert
While others forage in the dirt,
“Don’t bother wasting energy,”
They tell the hawk, “We’ll just fly free.”
Writing, travel, photography, nature, more writing....
December 29, 2023 at 9:30 pm
I love this, a wonderful blend of poetry and photography, Anneli. The raptor looks like a Red-tailed hawk, just a guess. ❤️
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December 29, 2023 at 10:42 pm
That’s a reasonable guess, John. I wasn’t sure what kind it was, that red-tailed is definitely a possibility. Thanks for the visit and the kind comment.
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December 30, 2023 at 3:54 pm
You are welcome, Anneli. 😊
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December 29, 2023 at 9:34 pm
Great poem and photos, Anneli. Yes, that hawk sure looks miserable – cold and hungry, poor fellow. He’s going to have to watch for frogs!
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December 29, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Thanks, Lynette. Yes, either that or mice swimming for someplace dry. It was a drippy day.
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December 30, 2023 at 1:33 am
Lovely words Anneli. Blessed 2024.🥰
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December 30, 2023 at 10:43 am
Thanks so much, Arlene, and the same to you.
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December 30, 2023 at 3:42 am
Your lovely poem and photos show that being a bird is not always easy, especially when the wet weather hits. Thanks for sharing Anneli. Have a great Saturday. Allan
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December 30, 2023 at 10:40 am
Yes, I’m sure they struggle at times.
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December 30, 2023 at 4:52 am
Another fun and insightful poem with eye-catching pics. Thanks, Anneli!
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December 30, 2023 at 10:40 am
I wish the hawk had been closer for a clearer picture, but I was happy to get the shot I did.
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December 30, 2023 at 5:20 am
I grew up not understanding why our University of Iowa sports teams were called “Hawkeyes.” It turns out that the name Hawkeye originally was given to a hero James Fenimore Cooper’s nove, The Last of the Mohicans. In his novel, Cooper had the Delaware Indians bestow the name on a white scout who lived and hunted with them. Having a hawk’s eye certainly benefits your Hawkeye!
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December 30, 2023 at 10:39 am
That’s so funny you should mention it, Linda, because as I wrote the title I wanted to add “….and Chingachgook.” But of course my hawk had no Chingachgook.
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December 30, 2023 at 7:00 am
I know Hawk has to eat, but I hope he didn’t today.
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December 30, 2023 at 10:37 am
I was trying to see if he had a mouse in his beak, but he was so far away and the weather was shipq, so I couldn’t get a clear enough look by zooming in. I think there are a lot of little rodents around that field, so I’m sure he won’t go hungry.
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December 30, 2023 at 8:27 am
Very nice poem and pictures. Thanks for this lovely post Anneli!
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December 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Thanks for your visit and comment, Ursula.
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December 30, 2023 at 12:51 pm
I enjoyed this, Anneli!
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December 30, 2023 at 2:45 pm
I like the first photo very much. Your poem captures the environment you’ve photographed.
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December 30, 2023 at 4:59 pm
Thanks, Belinda. Yes, it’s good for setting the scene. The hawk was way down the row of those trees, so I couldn’t get the clear outline I was hoping for with that one, but it’s okay for the storyline
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January 4, 2024 at 7:15 pm
Beautiful
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January 20, 2024 at 6:27 am
Anneli, your photos and verses share an encouraging narrative. Nature possesses its own unique way of keeping the playing field fair and balanced.
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January 20, 2024 at 8:05 am
Yes, it does. Sometimes it’s a bit hard to watch, but that’s how it is.
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