131. Manuel Cordero

 

 

132. Laura Kelsey

 I'm submitting this poem/story because it's true and it ought to be shared with
someone, in memory of the birds my windows might have killed.

Yellow Bird
By Laura Kelsey

I hope it wasn’t my window that you hit.
Or rather
it wasn’t my invisible glass barrier that you didn’t understand—
couldn’t have seen—
that hit you,
that shocked the air
out of your tiny lungs. I found you
in the front yard
one leg on the lawn
and one on the winding cement pathway.
I scooped you up in one hand
your body rolling over in my palm.
I took my new heels out of their box
and put you in it. Then we sat
together
on the porch. Through the sounds
of busy traffic
I could hear your tiny beak snap shut
over and over
as you gasped for air, willing your body
to breathe again. I put seeds in the box.
But you liked bugs, not seeds.
You looked up at me
with eyes the size of pinheads;
there was no way
I could discern where your pupils ended
and your irises began, or if you even had any.

And then I heard her.

You probably heard her first,
even though your ears were so much smaller
and inner.
I heard her calling for you
and I saw you strain to call back.
She was flitting about the yard.
You were trying to stand, to scream
to yell to your mate,
“I’m here! Don’t forget me!”
So I went inside
hoping she would find you.
I surfed the Internet to pass some time.
But when I stepped back on the porch
your eyes were sealed shut.
I lifted your body in my hand again
and wondered how you became so cold,
so stiff,
so fast.
I looked around the yard. The wind moved
the trees, but nothing else. No more calls.
I left you on the porch, hoping she would find you
so she could understand
that you were dead.

It’s night now, and I couldn’t bear
to leave you outside in the cold dark.
But it’s not like you care.

Because somewhere out there
there’s a bird sleeping alone tonight.
Every few seconds she looks up
from her nest
filled with tiny brown eggs
and hopes to see you.
She can’t sleep
because every noise she hears
in her small, inner ears
could be you
returning with the bugs
that you promised. She wonders who will keep her
eggs warm while she looks for food.
She wonders why you left. And I wonder
why I didn’t smash every window
in my house before you set out that day.

133. Lori Mackey

 

I have always loved birds.  A love passed down from my mother.  Birds are beautiful and entertaining.  I watch the birds at work, mostly pigeons and crows, all year long.  It helps make the day more enjoyable.

 

I decided to enter the contest because I had a wonderful, true story to tell.  I always wanted to write it down, and this inspired me to do so.  I hope you enjoy it.

 

 

 

134.  (coming soon)

135. Gabrielle Hovey, New Berlin, Wisconsin

I submitted this entry because I thought this photo of the robin tells the story of a robin who fell out of a tree and couldn't fly.  I call it "I've Had a Rough Day."

 

 

 

136. Tim Mehesy, Fords, New Jersey

I choose to submit this photo into the contest because my mother told me about the contest and she really likes the photos I take of nature, especially since I went to the Galapagos Islands. I came back from there and she just was amazed at how incredible the photos came out; I said the same thing! So ever since then I have tried to take more photos of nature; that trip really set me on my way to capture nature at its best! So since this is an Urban Birds contest, I can't submit any of the birds I took in the Galapagos, so I choose to submit a photo of baby robins in a nest in our pine tree. We took photos of them everyday since we noticed the nest, so we have pictures right from their birth all the way till they left the nest. So i submitted a photo of the robins in their like 2nd to last day in the nest. There are 3 of them, and its a really great photo of them all together in the nest. I just try to take as many photos of nature as I can, and birds seem to be my focal point in capturing nature. So that is why I submitted my photo. I want people to see photos of nature that they won't normally see at times!

 

 

 

137. Cindy Woods

 

 

138. David Thomsen, Ozark, Missouri

This is definitely Bird Art.  My mom is a bird lover also and made this bottle/birdhouse tree art in her back yard after the ice storm of 2007 destroyed the tree. most my siblings laughed at it but I think it is beautiful !!!! and so did the wrens they moved in right away.

 

This Cradinal came to my porch daily. Even though he has one leg and his tail is missing he does seem to get around alright.Landing are kind of rough on him though.I like to call this pic "Handicap Parking" I have since moved from that house and wonder how he is doing.

This guy was hiding in my mom's backyard thinking nobody could see him.

 

139. Dennis Rashe

 

 

140. Dick Drosse, Oswego New York

1. Visions - Taken at Great Bear Recreational Area, along the Tow Path. Kind of of a surreal dreamlike image as you catch a glimpse of the geese heading south. I was bent over the other way looking at some flora when the geese started honking , catching my attention.

 

 

2.  Looking for Lunch - While out paddling the Battle Island area of the Oswego River, I got a chance to watch the Blue Heron patiently  stalking his dinner. (with a point and shoot, just couldn't get the actual catch)

3.  Air Dry - While hiking around the McIlhenny Arboretum in LA., I was able to catch this pic of the Great White Egrets at the rookery there. I know cormorants need to dry off this way but not sure of the Egrets. Another title of the pic could be Learning the Funky Chicken Dance.

4.  Duplex Apartment - The Sterling Nature Center, Cayuga County, has a Heron Rookery. Again a slightly surreal picture, with the dead trees and large nests rising up out of the swamp. A larger size higher resolution photo shows more definition of the Heron family.

 

5.  Always One in the Crowd - Paddling the Lakeview Marsh, my wife and I encountered numerous Black Terns. they actually  were not that timid. Seeing these four sitting on the tree limb, it immediately reminded me of the title for the picture.

6. Waiting - Hiking the McIlhenny Arboretum, saw this Great White Egret in the bushes across a stream. We must have sat on the river bank close to ten minutes watching, with the bird just perched there not moving, hence, waiting. I like the contrast of the green and brush with the heron.

7.  Winter Nap - Walking along Oswego City's Westside Lineal Park, I came upon this Mallard sleeping/resting with his feet in the water.
Returning the other way at about 20 minutes later he was still in this position.

8.  Two's Company I & II - Relaxing by the Oswego River bank in Minetto, this pair of geese came by. It just brought to mind how they mate and pair off. It was like they were a typical couple out for an afternoon paddle/stroll enjoying the sun and water. In the II pic it seems that they are looking at their reflections in the water.