BIODIVERSITY

MARGARET TAYLOR 

The Birder 

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But why watch birds? you may ask. 

There are so many little reasons why. 

To see a chickadee in a tiny mask, 

to watch vultures soar against a sky. 

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A phoebe flicks its shiny black tail 

to show off to all, watch or don’t. 

Witness as hawks hunt, succeed or fail, 

Or wait for a nuthatch to fall (it won’t). 

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Watch titmice tease ruby-crowned kings 

Tricky with their call, chick a-dee-dee-dee, 

The rustle of a crow’s wings 

Leaving its perch in canopy. 

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A tiny gray gnatcatcher’s stern glare 

(a false black eyebrow makes it appear) 

yet scold it does,“Come close, if you dare,” 

a small bird’s message loud and clear. 

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“Every bird is a person” you would glean 

If you just look closer. But some forgot 

To lookup; but nature’s reality can be seen; 

The question, rather, is Why not?