Austere Winter - poem, eagle rehab update!
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| * Fledgling Eagle & Redwing Black Birds! (Photo Courtesy; Jerry Davis) |
Austere means severe, without comforts or luxury. Northern winter lays bare the bones of being as if life holds its breath waiting to exhale. Viewing the winter scenery through the windshield of my truck as I drove home on Lincoln Road, I began composing the following poem.
Austere Winter
Austere winter;
Snow blankets
Every earthen fold,
Bare trees
Stand as dead
Waiting
To be
Reborn;
Yet winter's austerity after summer's verdant lush growth prepares dormant earth for the next spring and new growth. Every living thing has it's season. We too enjoy our season of growth, raise children who bear grandchildren. To my delight my grandson Sam in fourth grade wrote the following poem then read it for us on face time.
Look Outside
Look outside
The sky is blue
Look again, it's you!
Oh yeah! Building a Snowman
That looks fun!
Look outside
The sky is gray
What a bad time we are having today.
We need to cheer the clouds up!
So let's jump in some mud!
Look outside
The sky is red
Ah man it's time for bed.
Good night.
The first picture testifies that trees have buds ready to leaf out. This one sprouted a leaf even in winter. Male cardinals already sing 'Cheer, Cheer, Cheer,' from the tops of trees. Buried under two feet of snow no ground hog saw its shadow here. We'll only have six more weeks until spring or six more weeks of winter. Take your pick!
An Arctic blast adds a half a foot of dry drifting snow, temperatures plunge with wind chill warnings. Seasons change and so too our lives. I welcome these living seasons. The perspective winter brings with the naked view of the architecture of the trees. The cold. The snow. Those days after the dreary grays when the sun rises red, yellow-warm turning finally to bright blue.
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| Snug in Snow -- Enjoying Winter! |
Birch Buds & Blue Sky!
Eagle Rehab Report -- Now Obituary
Barneveld Eagle Dies!
The Barneveld Eagle born and raised in Wisconsin succumbed to lead toxicity. Sadly not all rehabilitation attempts yield success. Missed by his Barneveld neighbors this eagle contributed positively to everyone who viewed him. This male eagle nested successfully with its mate for eight years near Trout Creek just north of Barneveld nurturing and raising at least eight young. By living well and procreating this eagle contributed to a conservation effort that has successfully removed the Bald Eagle from being endangered in Wisconsin. In 1974 bald eagles were seldom seen even in the north now more than 1,684 eagle nests exist throughout the state. Seventy one of seventy two counties have bald eagle nests. Soaring great wings white head and tail our National Symbol can be seen by everyone as a living part of our natural heritage. Many people continue to contribute to this successful on going conservation effort. Though saddened by the loss I feel lucky to have played even a small part in the attempt to rescue this eagle. The Dane County Humane Society motto reads, "Together We Are Helping People Help Animals." No taxes support this effort. Only voluntary contributions. Today I'm contributing a small donation in appreciation for the humane effort by Sarah and nearly 200 Wildlife Center Volunteers; Thank you all for the care you gave to this eagle.
If you desire to contribute specify in memory of the Barneveld Eagle; Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Road, Madison, WI 53718 or go online to giveshelter.org.
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| Offspring At Risk! |
* The story behind the picture. The young eagle with red-winged blackbirds was taken near the nest two years ago. Bill's roommate's girlfriend saw the bird near the road on her way to work. Seeing the precarious situation she immediately returned to get Bill. A storm had passed through the night before which evidently blew the young eagle out of the nest. Not yet capable of flying more than a few feet Bill quickly captured the bird. He then placed the young eagle as high as he could in a dead snag where it would be safe from traffic and predators. The parents then successfully fed this youngster until it could fully fly and fend for itself. Jerry Davis a neighbor of Bill's kept watch on the young eagle and took the unbelievable photo of the red-winged blackbirds calmly perched on back and head of this young eagle. For fun include a witty caption, maybe worthy of the cartoonist Gary Larson. Include your caption in quotes in the comment section of my blog. This best caption will be chosen by a panel of independent judges, none of which have ever been an NFL referee or wannabee! You may win an invaluable prize, My Personal Guarantee That the World Will Not End Today! (See my previous blog explaining the details.)
During the ongoing Pandemic humor helps keep my spirits up. In keeping with that in the United Kingdom evidently a fad developed of writing and performing Sea Shanties. Bill's Scottish friend Lorraine composed one for the Saola! At first I thought no way, how can that work out. Intrigued I hit the link listened in delight to Lorraine's Seat Shanty for the Saola! Love the Scottish accent. Thanks Lorraine! (Here's the link if you'd love to hear the Sea Shanty https://youtu.be/ac9WIRQS_-g)
Thanks my friends for being you! May Peace & Serenity be Yours! Tony
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