wordsfromanneli

Thoughts, ideas, photos, and stories.


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Young Heron

Hi! I’m a great blue heron.

Well, I’ve landed here, high up in a fir tree. Mom said it’s pretty safe and I should wait for her here.

But uh-oh. Do I hear a raven? Or is it a crow? Either way, they can be a real pain when they harass us. No wonder they call them a murder of crows when they get into a gang.

Whew! They’ve passed over. Time for a quick preening while I have the chance.

Those darn bugs. The second I sit in a tree, they get on me. Oh well, I had to straighten out my feathers anyway after that rough landing in these branches. But Mom said it’s safer here than out in the open where the eagles can see me.

Oh no! Is that an eagle up there? Mom said if they come after me, all I have to do is fly way up high in circles and keep going higher and higher, and after a while the eagles can’t keep up. They’re heavier than we are and can’t go as high.

Looks like they passed over. I hope Mom hurries up. I’m getting nervous up here.

 

I’m a heron, please stop starin’,

Thought I’d rest up in this tree.

Much attention, I must mention,

Might draw predators to me.

 

Though an eagle may seem regal,

They send terror vibes my way,

I take care and stay aware, and

Live to see another day.

 


16 Comments

Hungry Heron

It seems that herons spend a lot of time standing on one leg with their neck pulled in. This guy looks like a grandpa with his hunched over posture and his beard.

Most likely, though, while he soaks up some rays of sunshine, he is thinking about where his next meal will come from. He is quite capable of standing perfectly still, conserving his energy.  He will step off his rock patio when he gets hungry and stalk that frog he’s been watching. The frog will most likely think the heron is just another rock or a shrub of some sort because it hasn’t moved in so long.

 

“No, please don’t spear me,” Froggie cries,

“My life has been so short.”

“But, Fred, you’re lunch,” the heron sighs,

“I don’t do this for sport!”

 

“Whatever shall I tell my wife,

When I’m not home on time?

It seems so cruel to take a life,

In fact, it is a crime.”

 

 

“I’ll tell you what,” the heron said,

“You need to eat as well.

Don’t worry. Eat some flies instead,

And I’ll just wait a spell.”

 

 

As Freddie Frog lapped up the flies,

The heron quick and able,

Got ready to ignore his cries,

And speared him for his table.

 

**Photo by Sonia from her visit to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, B.C.


28 Comments

Great Blue Heron

When I first took this guy’s picture, I thought he had hurt his wing. It looked like he had maybe torn the top of his wing where it folds against his body. But when I looked up other photos of great blue herons, I saw that this is a natural colour on their wings. I was relieved to see it and wished I could have all that time back when I worried over his non-existent “owie.”

Mr. Patience, yes, that’s me,

Quietly I stand,

Waiting ’til the frog I see,

Makes a dash for land.

 

 

Then I spear him lightning quick

With my mighty beak,

Savouring his waist so thick,

Tuning out his squeak.


42 Comments

A New Year

Have a happy 2023.

Find and reconnect with friends, old and new.

Enjoy playtime and exercise.

Ponder new recipes.

Try new dishes.

Go with grace and beauty.

Enjoy life.

New adventures? Dive right in.

Soar to new heights.

Keep alert for danger.

Greet each day in a positive way.

Could be a good year, don’t you think?

Best wishes for a great year ahead, from the animals in my menagerie. 

Those who were camera shy today also send you their heartfelt wishes for a happy and healthy year.

 

 

 


42 Comments

The Calm

… before the storm.

The ducks all facing outward

Are waiting for their snack,

They find it in the shallows,

It makes their lips go smack.

 

The heron facing inward,

Has patience yet to spare,

He hopes to spear a morsel,

With no intent to share.

 

All take advantage of the last,

Relaxing stretch of peace,

They feel the system moving fast,

Soon comes the ugly beast.

 

Photo by Pat G.

The licorice scent of fennel wafts,

Along the last warm breeze,

A thousand seeds fly in the drafts,

To inundate with ease.

Ms. Barbara Beacham’s hollyhock,

Has found a home with me,

Although Ms. Beacham’s sent a shock,

And could no longer be.

 

Her lovely flowers bloom each year,

She sends her love that way,

I cherish her with thoughts so dear,

Much more than I can say.

A last sweet effort quickly made,

The berry patch is done,

No strawberries are left to raid,

Except for just this one.

And here it comes, the mighty beast,

So dark, this sunshine thief,

It brings much-needed rain at least,

To every plant’s relief.

It slaps the trees ferociously,

It whips the leaves around,

But they hang on tenaciously,

On hearing such a sound.

The wind is shivery at best,

Each leaf is hanging on,

They’re hoping to survive the test,

Until this breeze is gone.