Hawk Fight [Haiku]

hawk dogfight -
the chased twists in midair,
going talons up

Condor [Haiku]

the condor soars
above the canyon rim;
its back glows gold

Two Birds [Haiku]

two birds feed;
one eats, and one wonders
about the other

March of the Myna [Common Meter]

A Myna bird comes marching in;
it'll soon rule the roost.
It seldom fails to have its way
anyplace it's introduced.

The goggle shapes around its eyes
make its stare more intense,
but compare it to a raven;
you'll see it's pure pretense.

Like kudzu and cockroaches,
they can't help but run amok.
Should they come to your neighborhood -
well, that's just your luck.

Great Egret [Haibun]

The egret stands on stiff, still legs. By contrast, its neck is coiled into a sinuous strike position. For a long time, only its eyes move, saccading in time with the darting prey below the water's mirrored surface. The egret plays shrub, hoping to lure tiny fish into its shadow, within striking distance of its flexible neck.

the egret stands,
moving only its eyes...
then spears water  

The Murder [Kyoka]

a murder of crows
congregates on the concrete,
and I feel angst.
sure, I’m smarter than a crow…
but smarter than the murder?

DAILY PHOTO: Kingfishers, Backwaters of Kerala

Taken in the Keralan Backwaters near Alappuzha in July of 2014

DAILY PHOTO: Scarlet Ibis

Taken in the summer of 2018 at Lincoln Park Zoo.

POEM: Ubiquitous Bird’s Eye

On my street, not a thing happens
uncaptured in birds’ eyes.
Hawks sit on streetlamps or corners —
swivel-cowled remote spies.

And the crows lurk by the murder,
swooping to the sidewalk.
Pigeons strut and flap-glide down low —
masters of the sly gawk.

Add myriad flitters and sitters —
high-speed reconnaissance
and those who seem occupied by
a playful mating dance.

They’re squatters, stalkers, and spotters —
but who watches the watchers?

DAILY PHOTO: Backwater Birds

Taken in July of 2017 in the Backwaters of Kerala.