Saturday 25 April 2020

Ode to an elm


There were some elms
Down in the forest
They sheltered us all
Lauded by chorus

Flora and fauna
They die and they fall
Having lived their lives
Across nature sprawl

Elms provide perches
To varieties of creatures
Some just alight
They've lots to teach her

Providing habitat
Big and gracious
Birds of prey
In canopy spacious

A hawk it perches
Surveying territory
Flicker dug deep
Building the story

The osprey was rudest
As I stood below
It sat on the branch
And then just let go




Even the dead elms, which we've cut down for safety, provide a perch.


 

There is fungus growing on the old roots of the dead elm.
Little Isabelle gave them a close examination!




Once, the osprey landed in the dead elm. It was strange, as there were no fish in sight. 



Another time, a flicker built a nest.

Flicker from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.


Flicker from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Saturday's Critters #332


11 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The Osprey is one of my favorite summer birds, they are handsome.
Love the Flickers too. That is one Big fungi. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, happy weekend. PS, thanks for leaving me a comment.

Tom said...

...I remember the huge elms that lines the streets in Rochester, NY. What a loss!

Olga said...

Very nice.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
Gorgeous, gorgeous and I say again, gorgeous! YAM xx

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Isn't the Flicker neat to watch! And look how big those Fungi are! WOW! What a little cutie looking with curiosity! We need to all keep that curiosity as we grow up....and older! Have a good weekend and thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and videos!

Karen said...

What the Hey are you doing on the roof woman!!!!!

Powell River Books said...

A better place for a Flicker nest than when one tried to drill a hole in our cabin wall several years ago. That is an amazing fungus! - Margy

Nancy J said...

Love the ode, what an ending!!! The large birds are so regal, and in flight so graceful. XXX

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Elms are indeed so lovely and helpful -loved the videos and the photos. Stay safe.

Anu said...

Hello. The fungus is very big. Great photos. I like those videos of flicker. Take care.

Out To Pasture said...

Loved your Ode To An Elm! Nothing 'lets go' like a bird of prey!