Friday 24 July 2009

High flying times

skywatchThe cormorant perched high above the busy lake, on a birch that had lost its life, if not its beauty. Storms had ravaged the particularly susceptible branches. Climate change's wicked winds had shredded foliage, and the frail branches would not recover. On another day, during another summer storm, the branches will give up and the perch will be gone. In the meantime, they watch the skies.


Derrick thought that it was time for a poem. "I'm outta here!" he honked. Off he flew.
He nodded towards the Inukshuk he passed as he flew. Some two-legged one had been up to no good. Silly humans!

On this beautiful day at the bay, the feathered friends gathered beneath the birch, as they usually did, for a wine cooler, or beer, trout wraps, and a bit of a gab. Under the lee of the bushes they took a welcome break from the sun.
George had hiked in from aways away, he was glad to take a break. He hunkered down with the clan. He began looking for some greens, even though, "Greens aren't food, it's what food eats!" Beggars can't be choosers!

Then, the heron flew in, wearing her finest spandex, and fresh from strutting her stuff at the gym.


Everyone's heads turned. Her beauty makeover, undertaken when she had empty-nest syndrome, had worked well. She looked great.

Mog was appalled at the catty behaviour. People really can be cruel and stare. She said, "Don't look at me, I'm having a bad hair day!"
"Not so bad!" the ducks chimed in. "We're pretty scruffy today, too!" and they resumed their grooming.

In flew another couple of ducks. Guy was visiting with his little gander from Regina. "Lookin' fer skywatch photos," he said, camera in hand!

"Did you catch her bod?" asked Jain, nodding towards the slim heron.
"Yeah!" Bonnie, the artist, suggested, "You should see her house, though. It needs work. I could do wonders!"

The heron heard the whispers and took umbrage. About to order a diet drink, she flew her thin self off muttering, "Chumps!"



"Wow!" said Weaver, "When did she lose all that weight?"
"Not long ago. I saw her in the spring," Judy chirped in. . "We were at a fish and flower show and she just waddled by. She was eating a bouquet of lilacs."

Cloudia suggested, "Do you think she is living an Aloha life?"
They rolled their eyes, that lifestyle was for the snowbirds, in their opinion. Things became most unsettled.

"Hell's bells!" said David, giving them a look. "I'm outta here. Too much carp for me.
And off he flew.


"Yeah. What's with all that nonsense?", queried Griz.

"Idda know. Too many coolers!" said Travis. "Gimme a beer and a 'burger! Better huntin' & fishin' across the way." And off into the wild blue yonder these boys soared, too.



Meantime, Dizzy Lizzy said, "I should make her a card!" (She is so creative that way!)

"Where's Crafty Green Poet? She said she'd be here by now."
"Here she is!" EG honked, but she explained she had to fly off to take some more photos.

At the other end of the rock Cindy commented cynically, "As long as they fly safely!" She is so concerned about safety, as well she should. "Things are pretty fast around here."
She was just shaking in anger.

Yogi, also a transportation expert, echoed her sentiments, "Remember, somebody out there loves you. Fly safely!" he shouted from the top of his lungs.


Sitting quietly, on a near-by rock, thoughtfully contemplating it all, was Barrie. The kids were resting near-by.
She, too, was writing another story. "Come on," she told her kiddies as she hopped into the breeze-blown water, "Finish up your juice! Time to go. I feel another book coming on!"
Everyone fell into line, lickety split. Fair weather or foul, you can find them paddling along. Life is good.
~~~~~~
An explanation... I photographed the ducks in a drive-by shooting/canoeing. In my mind, as I watched them, I could hear them talking to each other. This was my inspiration. Then, I wondered how to laud my commenters and 20 followers. I miss the creativity teaching allowed me, and this is my outlet. My life has changed since writing my book, and I an reinventing myself. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate it!

22 comments:

Louise said...

Great bird shots. The ducks are terrific. (The sky in was nice, too.)

Gaelyn said...

LOL! This is a delightfully wonderful story. Nice captures too.

Carolyn said...

Great post Jenn! I love the story and your great drive by shots! Have a great, safe weekend.
Smiles

Mary said...

This is great! Very creative :-) I love to imagine conversations among animals, so I enjoyed this a lot. Great photos, too!

Cloudia said...

*Clap clap*

Thoroughly delightful!!!!!!
And I'm part of it; what a joyous post you gave us: the joy of hearing their voices too!!!

Aloha, Jenn

Comfort Spiral

Lorac said...

The shots are so good! The commentary fun. Thanks for the entertainment!

Anonymous said...

Really a nice set of photos. Very nice shot for SkyWatch Friday.

Pick a Peck of Pixels

erin said...

your post was most creative and i so enjoyed it...the photos were perfect.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Jenn - what a delightfully creative post. I'm still smiling! I feel honoured to have my name included, thank you! What a wonderful way to spend your days - canoeing, seeing such marvelous creatures, and capturing it all with your camera - AND THEN sharing it will us.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

You are a modern day Beatrix Potter! Lovely bird shots.
Janice.

Jenn Jilks said...

Janice, you are so kind...except I cannot sell books! It is hard breaking into the market...

My kids loved those, and I read them the books I saved from my childhood!

Pollyanna said...

These are fabulous! Such a scenic setting and some great action shots.

Please visit me: Picture This . . .

Mark Kreider said...

Wonderful nature shots... not that easy to get. Why does everyone in the stork/egret family always look POed?

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful series of shots. Those little babies are so very cute!

Birding in Maine said...

Very nice bird photos! Love the GBH on the rock.

George said...

This is absolutely marvelous. Thanks for including me in your wonderful story. Thanks, too, for all the great pictures.

SandyCarlson said...

These fowl shots are absolutely wonderful.

EG CameraGirl said...

Jenn, the bird shots and story are so fun! Hope you do this again some time!

Hildred said...

Typical watery community! Loved your story and the photos are marvelous. What a great way to spend your summer....

me said...

What a great idea. I am honoured.
You know about the bad hair days then, ;)

Judy said...

Oh, Jenn - Thank you so much for including me!! I was having a really bad day, and you have made me smile!!
And you cannot be old, because that would make me old, and that simply cannot happen!!

Travis Erwin said...

Love the dialog.