29 March 2021

... and the Reds...

Fresh Pond, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Northern Flicker in the earthly balance with the sleepy meadow...
   steps left, steps right, turns back and at once the reds jump out, calling for spring...

His Latin name has this word Auratus which means golden...
   Looking closely at his plumage, I sense the meaning...
    the patterns where each plume has a golden place and innate beauty of nature comes to light...

        ... for whose eyes?...

Northern Flicker: ... in the earthly balance with the sleepy meadow...

Northern Flicker: ... steps left...

Northern Flicker: ... steps right...

Northern Flicker: ... turns back...

Northern Flicker: ... Auratus...

Northern Flicker: ... where each plume has a golden place...


26 March 2021

Last Call

Fresh Pond, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Frozen tip-tops of hanging branches sculpted along shadowy edges of the pond,
     in splendor with light and water... just for today... 

Fresh Pond: ... last call...


23 March 2021

In Full Voice

Hale Reservation, Westwood, Massachusetts

Not much is going on in the woods, seems sleepy...
   and then we stumble upon this choir, in full voice...
   the whole place is singing,
     even those still asleep can hear her songs, for the spring has arrived... 

Hale: ... not much is going on in the woods...

Hale: ... seems sleepy...

Hale: ... and then around there... these voices...




Hale: ... even those still asleep can hear... for the spring has arrived...


14 March 2021

Melting Beauty

Mass Audubon Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Massachusetts

The temps have risen slightly, to a point when snow starts to depart in her own crystal ways,
   with millions of diamonds and sculpted characters,
     dissolving in reflections of the world she leaves behind...

  And then, there is this charming shaggy fellow munching on the meadow,
     completely ignorant of our presence... the first sign of spring...

Wachusett Meadow: ... the temps have risen slightly...

Wachusett Meadow: ... to a point when snow starts to depart...

Wachusett Meadow: ... in her own crystal ways...

Wachusett Meadow: ... with millions of diamonds...

Wachusett Meadow: ... and sculpted characters...

Wachusett Meadow: ... unveiling...

Wachusett Meadow: ... the first signs of spring...

Wachusett Meadow: ... dissolving...

Wachusett Meadow: ... in reflections of the world she leaves behind...

 

06 March 2021

Bald Eagle

Deer Island, Merrimack River, Massachusetts

Bald Eagles had tough time for most of the 20th century, and then being pushed to the brink of survival by the toxic effects of DDT on their eggs. After the chemical had been banned, there was a major effort, with many people involved, to bring these birds back. And it happened...
   ... the remote peninsula in Quabbin Reservoir became their first home. They move closer to the Ocean in winter, to the area of lower Merrimack which does not freeze. Deer Island is the island on the river where people come to watch and enjoy their flyovers...
     ... on cold, winter days...
        ... and they are not bald, they have lovely white plume coating their heads...

Merrimack: ... the place...

Merrimack: ... where bald eagles come in winter...

Merrimack: ... flying over the river...

Merrimack: ... high on pine trees...

Merrimack: ... and sky...

Merrimack: ... observing...

Merrimack: ... with the wind...