Water creeping across the prairie,
a wandering path of small ponds
in a landlocked state, give respite for
travelers on the wing. These silent
pelicans, tourists as big as turkeys,
land in full flock. Kingfishers scatter,
a solitary Great Heron shies away
from this armada, armed with
long-reaching bills, moving in a line,
herding minnows to a shallow water
demise. Preening feather to feather
in the cool spring sun, never more
than a wingspan of separation. They
seem to huddle, while Canada geese,
seasonal renters, monogamous to
a fault, pause in their search for a
quiet nesting, waiting two days, then
four, until the pelicans lift to the far
away, gliding on thermals, the song of
air. Black and white soaring in blue.
…
Anna Blake at Infinity Farm
Horse Advocate, Author, Speaker, Equine Pro
…
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Made my heavy heart lighter?
Yay! Living with this pond has done the same for me. Thanks, Anne
SO pretty – both slideshow and poem. A great way to greet the day. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Jean. These birds are so bright white, that you can’t look away!
Thank you, Black Bay.
I love pelicans. I love their flight patterns, so seemingly improvised, gliding and circling. Thank you again for another picture put to words.
Thanks, Jane. I agree, so beautiful in the air…
Dear Anna, I second Anne’s comment that this made my heavy heart lighter, so thank you for that. A dear friend of mine lost her battle with cancer last week, and she lived a stone’s throw from you. She and I were fellow horse helpers ( http://www.acadiaequinerehab.com ) and bird-nerds, and would have loved this post. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reminding me of her with a smile.
Thank you, Lisa and I’m sorry for the loss of your dear friend. These birds are such a flash of bright; so glad they brightened your day.