the rains are tapering, the gulf breezes returning
it is wading season and our feathered friends have arrived
the wetlands are healthy, the standing water still high
birds delight in aquatic delectables, they prey
a small flock of Roseate Spoonbills
and a pair of Wood Storks take flight overhead,
a reminder we are guests
walk gingerly, quietly look and listen
whirring, buzzing, calling,
the swamp is alive with activity
in a small aquatic amphiptheater
a Little Blue Heron perches just above the water
posing for the men with telescopic lenses
around the arc, clicking draws eyes away
an Anhinga spreads his wings for sun and air
perhaps observers' attention
it works, we are captivated
our eyes are drawn away,
a large set of rings ripple through the water
again pulling us in another direction
a Florida Gar swims hurriedly
out of the open water into the swampy vegetation
along the boardwalk we look up in wonder
cypress trees hundreds of years old
entangled in strangler fig branches, coexisting
frogs, insects, and cypress knees,
we briefly look down again
until we are startled, wide-eyed
a Red-shouldered Hawk swoops through the canopy
landing on the branch above us,
his morning feast dangles from his mouth
he stops to eat, we stop to stare silently
we quietly walk below the branch, eyes fixed
approaching the wet prairie we are given farewell
a Pileated Woodpecker, loud and proud
dashing up and down a pine,
flashing his red head, he's on fire
high in the sky, haughtier than the Warblers
as autumn pushes in, the holiday has begun
the wildlife come to rejoice in their sanctuary.
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