ODE TO A TREE

Oh tree

With spring breeze gently rushing through your swaying branches

What secrets you hold.

What sights you have seen, never to reveal.

Oh tree

giving safe harbor to wandering birds,

hiding them from predators,

providing a resting place when their wings tire.

The squirrel nesting in your hollow feels secure,

Your leaves protect her tiny family from sun and raindrops.

I search your depths for that songbird I hear

But to no avail.

Your leaves camouflage him  like a green-winged guardian angel 

So only his magical voice emerges from the thick foliage.

Oh beautiful tree, I love you.

Except in the fall when you change into your winter coat,

and I have to rake your shedding apparel into so many piles!

PUTRID PRANKSTERS

You know I love birds.  All kinds of birds.  In Florida we have a lot of vultures, especially the black vulture.  Here, one seems to be peeling the rubber from someone's windshield wiper.  Tch, tch.  They shouldn't have left their car alone near a vulture roost.  I guess rubber makes good nesting material?

Source St. Petersburg Times

One cannot do anything about it except move your car, or chase them away.  But they will return as soon as you turn your back.  Turkey vultures (not pictured) have a lovely defense mechanism;  projectile vomiting!  Aaaakkk!  Think of what they eat! I'll keep my distance!

Vultures are migrating birds.  Most of them migrate to Florida from the Ohio Valley and the Atlantic Seaboard.  Isn't it odd....the vultures seem to follow the "snowbirds".  We have a LOT of Ohio visitors this time of year.  Well, there is nothing to be done about these rubber nibblers.  It's against Federal Law to kill migrating birds. Just flap your human wings and say "shoo!" 

Meanwhile, up on a branch, a sweet sparrow ponders his next meal.  Betcha it won't be rubber!

Derwent Watercolor Pencil

I'm trying really hard not to chuckle, but um, well, I DO love birds.  Even vultures!