• An Avian Vespers

 

Setting: San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Irvine, CA; last hour of monthly Solitude Day

 

Shorebirds carry on constant chatter of community over supper,

     choosing sunny spots to enjoy their meals.

Marsh wrens buzz, warble and trill.

Ducks quack, dabble and dive,     

     gathering last tidbits before tucking their beaks under a wing

          for a good night’s sleep.

Common yellowthroats call from clumps of cattails.

     Their rollicking "cheery, cheery" bids an evening blessing

          to any listener.

Wide vee-waves of gulls wing their way

     from inland food to coastal roosts for the night.

     I am always moved to a sense of wonder

          at the sight of their power, grace, and beauty of flight,

               along with the pleasure of watching their aerial acrobatics.

     It’s song in motion.

Three kinds of swallows cavort above the ponds,

     collecting insects for their supper,

     and constantly tweeting each other to keep in touch.

Stately herons and egrets stand like statues,

     waiting for a fish or frog to come by,

          then croak their satisfaction upon a catch.

     They bask in the last warm rays of the sun

          before the chill of evening sets in.

Ospreys, content and silent after a meal of fish,

     survey their surroundings from high on a nest platform

          built for their use.

     Light from the lowering sun

          enriches the chocolate and white coats

               of these splendid birds.

On a nearby sandbar a collection of distant cousins

     presents a double contrast of color and demeanor.

          Black cormorants, still restless, converse in gutturals.

          White pelicans, looking like fluffy headless pillows,

sleep peacefully.

A flock of Canada geese flies over,

     honking a haunting farewell to the day

     and a blessing for the night.

Sounds from the denizens of the sanctuary

     blend into a beautiful, peaceful, calming lullaby.

I wish my day were done,

     but I revel in the song of the marsh

     during my race walk to the car

          so I won’t miss an evening appointment.

Vespers sung in solo, chorus and sight by the birds of this sanctuary

     fills my mind and soul with gratitude and delight

          as I depart.

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