Sunday, September 17, 2006

Ruby-Throated Red Barons

I’ve turned the back deck
into an aerial theater of war.
They swoop from the trees
protecting feeder and turf,
Ruby-Throated Red Barons,
diving, climbing, hovering and daring,
rapidly firing squeaky-chirp expletives
at anything and everything, including me.
Eyeball to eyeball,
two hundred pounds
to three point one grams,
I retreated defeated,
not the least ashamed.

12 comments:

MB said...

I know how aggressive those little samurai can be! You're lucky to have a view of such beauties.

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

I love it! I've seen things like that before, too.
p.s.- I see that you have "Present Tense" on your list. The address has changed to http://vanburendailyphoto.blogspot.com

Masago said...

Fantastic! I love it too. Well done Pat.

Russell Ragsdale said...

I hope they'll let you refil the sugar water! Great write Pat.

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Another great one. I can picture this...

floots said...

great stuff pat
as another avid feeder of the birds
i can identify completely
the species may be different
the mood is the same
cheers

polona said...

i have some catching up to do but i love this one
(the consequences of your setting up another hummingbird feeder?)

The Site Administrator said...

heheheheh! pat, these poems of yours never cease to amaze me. thank you. :-)

Margie said...

Wonderful Pat!
love this one!

Osquer said...

I have the same sort of little barn stormers around my house. I love their "squeaky-chirp expletives!" (Both the sound and your description of it.) I've been stared down by them, too!

Amalendu said...

liked it...I wish I were there to see this happening...

Pat Paulk said...

Yes ma'am!! I have had so much fun watching, but then I'm easily entertained.

Thanks Andrew!! I'll change it.

Vaughn, thank you!!

Russell, they did, but they didn't say thank you. Thanks!!

Thanks Don!!

I do love to watch the feather parade that swirls around the yard everyday. Thanks Floots!!

Yes, Polona, the consequences thereof. It's amazing how the population tripled. Thank you, and glad you're back!!

Karasu, thank you!!

Thanks Margie!!

Osquer, aren't they amazing? I was flabberghasted the first time one got in my face and dared me to do anything.

Shyamalee, God spit these little creatures out with more attitude than a bull elephant.