Green Promises

 

On this Sunday morning country run,

is that our church choir I hear?

No, it's the Bobolink's bubbling call

hovering over the mostly alfalfa hayfield;

flutter-flying in a controlled stall

over June grasses growing tall,

and the long green promises

of a long summer approaching.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Parnell, Michigan

The Invitation III

I am out walking again,
exploring the fields and woods,
scanning the lakes,
following the streams.

Cloud shadows
race across the foothills,
pushed by the wind.

Bobolinks appear,
then disappear
in deep grass.

Bulging cumulus
pile into white mounds
in the afternoon sky.

Delicate saucers
of Queen Anne's Lace
nod in the warm sun.

Summer quickens, ripens,
and waits for you
to open your invitation.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

You may also enjoy: 

"The Invitation II"   ~ January 16, 2017

"The Invitation" ~ May 6, 2013

Photo Locations:

1. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

2. Allenspark, Colorado

3. Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan

4. Pickerel Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan

5. Home Fields - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

6. Home Fields - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michgian

The Ripening

The wind rattles long rows of corn.
Deep green flags flailing in the fields. 

Bobolinks appear,
disappear in deep grass.

Roadside wildflowers stretch for the sun;
measure the ripening of summer. 

Great mounds of cumulus
shifting shape and size.

Wind leaves its tracks
on the surface of the lake.

My schedule is based on
what's going on outside;

and my creativity has the
entire sky to fly through,

whether blue or gray,
sunshine or rain, 

combing the fields and woods,
scanning the lakes and streams.

I am out here.
Please join me.

© 2017 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

1. Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan 

2. Luton Park - Kent County, Michigan

3. Fred Meijer Nature Preserve - Kent County, Michigan

4. Reeds Lake - East Grand Rapids, Michigan

5. Grand River - Knapp Street bridge - Ada, Michigan 

Saturday Morning Backroads III

Welcome to this third edition of: "Saturday Morning Backroads".

Please sit back, relax, 
and enjoy the ride.
Enter each place.
Picture yourself there. 
Become a part of the scene.

Hollyhocks, 10-Mile Road - Rockford, Michigan 

Bobolink

Butterflyweed

Mary picking Wild Black Raspberries

Eastern Chipmunk

Monarch Caterpillar

 Colorado Blue Spruce (female cones)

Dew on Jewelweed leaf

Chicory

Whitetail Deer fawns

You may also enjoy:

Saturday Morning Backroads - June 6, 2012

Saturday Morning Backroads II - October 8, 2014


Now you may want
to find your own
"Saturday Morning Backroads".

Take some time,
make some time,
to get out and about.
Bring your family.

Be sure to get out
of your car
before you drive too far. 
Walk slowly, observe closely.

It's all there for you.
Please share this beautiful view.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Note: All of these photographs were taken very near my home in Kent County, Michigan. 

Through the Ears

Birdsong in the morning
helps to launch the day;

gives character 
to the hours;

invites attention
through the ears;

increases interest
through the years.

©  2014  Richard Havenga

CLICK on photos to enlarge.

Photo Locations: 

1. Indigo Bunting - Egypt Valley State Game Area,  Kent County,  Michigan

2. Bobolink - Allegan State Game Area,  Allegan County, Michigan

3. Common Yellowthroat - Wabasis Lake Park,  Kent County,  Michigan

4. Wood Thrush - Home Woods -  Cannonsburg,  Michigan

CLICK the links below to hear the Songs and Calls from Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

1. Indigo Bunting

2. Bobolink

3. Common Yellowthroat

4. Wood Thrush

Dawn's Invitation

a faint evening breeze
leaves our woods,
traveling eastward
into the hay field,
touching new alfalfa,
passing over
the Bobolink's nest,
eventually settling
into the tranquility
of the Tamarack swamp,
to be held gently overnight,
within soft, green needles,
to wait with anticipation
for dawn's invitation
to explore 
tomorrow.

©  2014  Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Saul Lake Bog, (Saul Lake Bog) Kent County,  Michigan

Tamarack - Larix laricina