white satin

 a pair of Mute Swans

ornament the icy lake

wings of white satin

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Reeds Lake - East Grand Rapids, Michigan

You may also enjoy swans from another season: 

"Autumn Watercolor" ~ Oct. 24, 2012

Directions to My House (in early spring)

 

You know where the creek

meanders through the small woodlot,

and enters the open meadow

where the Eastern Meadowlarks

prefer to sing each spring?

Hang a left there,

and walk through the crop field

that was in corn last fall

and soybeans the year before;

here you will hear the

Sandhill Cranes yodeling

and see them plucking invertebrates

from the saturated soil between the rows.

Then continue westerly along

the north shore of McCarthy Lake

where circles of Cinnamon Ferns

will thrive this summer.

From here you will spot a pair of Mute Swans

circling around the lake's perimeter

searching for open water.

When they land, notice their angelic wings

as the last skim of ice melts away.

Now turn north, uphill, through the field

deep with winter-matted grasses,

and follow the faint deer trail

along the east slope of the woods

until it crosses the gravel road.

You will now be under 

some splendid walnut trees.

Take your time here, 

because you need to step carefully

through the arching canes 

bearing short thorns

where I pick Wild Black Raspberries

in early July.

Take the next deer trail on the west side

of the vernal wetland, where Spring Peepers

have just begun to call

on nights when it's warm enough.

You must now ascend what was once 

our cross-country ski trail

through Red Oaks, Black Oaks,

and a few Shagbark Hickories.

As you step onto the lawn,

notice my favorite tree;

this American Beech, with leaves

that were yellow in October,

copper in December, and now appear

winter-bleached and tissue-thin.

From here, if you look northwest,

you will see me in my library

writing directions for another season.

You don't need to knock,

or even ring the doorbell.

I've been expecting you.

Please come in.

We'll talk about 

your walk.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. 2. 8. 9. & 10. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

3. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

4. & 5. McCarthy Lake - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

6. & 7. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

11. Home Library

Untouchable

 

As winter

melts into spring,

a pair of Mute Swans,

high above the ice,

just above the fog,

circles the outline

of the quiet bayou.

Their wide white wings

whistle with each downstroke.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Three long air laps

around the shoreline

as they gradually 

gain altitude,

and finally disappear

into the untouchable

white.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Petty's Bayou - Spring Lake, Michigan

Silent as Shadows

a pair of Mute Swans

swimming with their reflections

silent as shadows

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: McCarthy Lake - Kent County - Michigan

Autumn Watercolor

Buoyant as boats,

they swim the surface;

serene, satisfied.

Perpendicular necks

hold orange bills

on black masks.

Preened feathers

drift southward

on faint breeze.

Clothed in smooth satin

reflecting a pure

and perfect white.

Solemn Mute Swans

glide with grace through

an autumn watercolor.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Mute Swan: (Cygnus olor)

Photo Location:  McCarthy Lake,  Kent County,  Michigan  (Michigan)