Sandhill Cranes,
hundreds per flock,
fix their wide wings
in a stalling descent,
a controlled falling to earth.
They're gliding into
Bosque del Apache
National Wildlife Refuge
in New Mexico.
Yodeling their calls,
ruffling and preening
their feathers.
These muttering multitudes
creating a cacophony of sound.
A popular place to overwinter
until their spring departure.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Now that the sun has
migrated back to the north,
I don't have to wait as long for
first light to turn into first color,
for morning to open the day.
The birds wake earlier
and stay later in April.
American Goldfinches
are beginning to show color;
slight hints of yellow feathers.
In about four to six weeks,
all of our colorful warblers
will be migrating and singing
their parts in the sweet choir
in the temple of our woods.
Heaven between the trees.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Lowell Township - Kent County - Michigan
3. Wabasis Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan
While out on a walk, a Red-tailed Hawk
suddenly swooped in without a sound.
His flared tail, a copper fan,
slowed his landing onto the branch.
He shook and shivered
his body feathers into place.
Considered this tree a possible space
to scan the ground for possible prey.
But soon became indignant
that I was watching him watch.
He lifted off effortlessly and flew away,
seemingly disgruntled by my human presence,
and searching for new possibilities.
© 2024 Richard Havenga
Thousands of Sandhill Cranes call
and fall from the blue New Mexico sky.
With their wings held in stutter-flight,
coasting, braking, decelerating,
the cranes fall to earth, descend
into a great cacophony of sound.
A commotion of feathers
and feet on the ground.
© 2024 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge - New Mexico
A Mourning Dove walks
pink-footed through the sand,
unfurling soft syllables
into the September sun.
I glance up from my writing,
look through the binoculars,
and watch the breast feathers
settle back into place.
I look back at my work,
and attempt to write
my own syllables,
but they fall short.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Canon Township - Kent County - Michigan
A Mourning Dove
the color of river mud,
the color of autumn dusk,
puffs up its breast feathers
and murmurs a soft lament;
cooing up and down the scale.
Emphasizing the vowels "o" and "u".
Repeating the question "who?"
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Play the Mourning Dove call: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove/
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Canon Township - Kent County - Michigan
A Blue Jay plummets
into the sudden scene,
and all the smaller birds
scatter from the feeder.
Body-hop, head-bob, glare;
his vibrant feathers flare.
A blue-white flame
on a gray winter day.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Home Feeders & Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
Birds fly
with a dependable rhythm.
They trust
the thrust of their wings.
Have faith
in their fine feathers.
Move with
conviction and grace.
Know how to ride the wind,
sail the transparent air.
Beyond the sublime,
toward the divine.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. 2. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
3. Home Sky - Kent County - Michigan
