Monday, February 6, 2012

Magpie Tales #103 "Captured"


Captured

A day gray in beauty
I walk, content
with simplicity captured.

But then,
a saturated gemstone
appears for a swooping instant
and vanishes amongst the bramble.

Twisting,
I look low, look high,
find him conspicuously stylish
almost eye level, evasive,
suspicious of the
interloper.

Fingers cold, arm heavy,
like a hunter I wait,
motionless.

Finally, a sweet dainty version
full of charm appears
causing Ruby Red
to throw caution to the wind
and pay court.

Head tilting, tail twitching
for the moment distracted,
he's wooed by clever, coy female
who appears to have his heart
in the palm of her hand.

With sites aligned,
I shoot.

Another uplifting experience,
captured, preserved.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, February 6, 2012


I wrote this poem thinking the smaller bird was a female cardinal.   Alas, I was wrong.  I should have remembered they have crests as well.  I will just have to go back and wait, this time with a tri-pod.


and for the record, the photos below are the "simplicity captured" that I was content with until "Mr. Fancy Pants" flew by...  And I can tell you, I regretted not bringing my tripod on this photo excursion to the bog garden!



The poem "Captured" is for "Magpie Tales #103".  The challenge is to write a poem inspired by this week's Magpie photo prompt below.

A grave at the Novodevichy Cemetery, Moscow

29 comments:

Fireblossom said...

I love coming here. Your photographs have such depth and emotion, to me. I don't look a them and go "that's nice." I look at them and go "OoooOooooh!" :-)

I love the twisty bog garden path. And I love Mr. Cardinal in all his splendor. He is being very patient, I would say, allowing Mr. Purple Finch to use the feeder, also! At least I think that's what that is.

I loved your poem about his courtship of clever Ms. Cardinal. He doesn't stand a chance!

Ginnie Hart said...

I LOVE your February cardinal, Margaret. OMG!

Margaret said...

Fireblossom - I thank you, truly. Very encouraging words for me to hear. ...and isn't that a female cardinal? I hope so as I wrote my poem around it...

izzy said...

Hey hey! so much more like a heart-your cardinals- I never; until others said it, equated heart with that wedge!

Brian Miller said...

smiles...nice fresh take on the magpie margaret...i like the shots too...you have a great eye...

TexWisGirl said...

no, that's a male house finch. :)

the park bench and walkway look so inviting!

EG CameraGirl said...

Well written and the photos are wonderful too!

Linda said...

I don't know if I completely understand the assignment, but it appears to me by looking at your photo prompt, you hit it dead on with the cardinal on the birdhouse. Your pictures and poem are amazing!! I'm inspired by how much creativity is fueling you!

Tess Kincaid said...

I love the notion of you being a hunter with your camera! Lovely pics, too!

Jazzbumpa said...

Very nicely done.

The photos and the poem - every bit of it.

Cheers!
JzB

Mary Ann Potter said...

Beautifully written and presented, Margaret! You captured a moment in nature so eloquently while managing to put yourself right in the middle. Impressive!!!

Ruth said...

Simply gorgeous photographs, Margaret, stunning in every way!

hedgewitch said...

Being ignorant of even the most basic stuff about photography, I have no idea how a tripod or anything else could have made these pics more beautiful--they are striking. But if you say so...;_) Cardinals are the showboats at our place, too. And just recently we've acquired some white doves--gorgeous things--can't believe people shoot them.

Brother Ollie said...

You really capture some great moments.

Kerry O'Connor said...

Can't tell you how much I would love to see one of these astoundingly beautiful birds in my garden. Thank you for bringing it alive in your poetry and photography so I can admire from afar.

Susan Anderson said...

Wonderful photos, and I like the interplay of your camera with the magpie art and your words.

So creative.

=)

kolembo said...

enjoyed this!

kolembo said...

enjoyed this!

Mary said...

Your photographs led up to the Magpie photograph nicely; and your words wove a wonderful and intricate tale.

Scarlet said...

Your pictures glow and brighten my day....I love the poem that came along with your sighting.

This is lovely ~

Kay said...

beautiful words and stunning pictures..x

G-Man said...

Typically Margaret Bednar Brilliance...
I think that the Male is checking out her Ass!!!

Wayne Pitchko said...

nicely done....thanks for sharing

Kay L. Davies said...

Gorgeous, Margaret. And poetic license allows the finch to be a female cardinal if the poet so designates it! I'm so glad you shared this at Real Toads!
K

Susie Clevenger said...

Beautiful photography..I love how the magpie prompt had you writing about Cardinals..the beauty of inspiration.

JBinford-Bell said...

I love the flight you took from the prompt to the Cardinal. And for a frightening moment thought the sight referred to was a gun and not your view finder.

Lovely poem and great photo exhibition you led us on.

Unknown said...

"The kiss of the sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth, one is nearer God's heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth." Dorothy Gurney. Thank you for this wonderful poetic journey through your garden, dear Margaret.

Dave King said...

Beautiful images, visual and verbal. What a feast!

Doctor FTSE said...

Love the poem, and your pictures of that gorgeous little bird.