Get Your Premium Membership

Help

A bird is visiting my yard One that I have never seen before Eating from the ground so vigorously Pecking like a Sandpiper or a Woodpecker That pecks on a tree Looks like a Woodpecker But not exactly and there are really four I suppose there could be more He has the ladder back On his back, and a long strong thick beak A red spot below his head On the top of his back its said His upper chest or top of the breast A half moon as dark as night Accented on the bottom half by mostly white He works and works pecking the ground Why he almost wears me down Now he's joined by a goldfinch Of such a brilliant hue A male Bluebird eats undistrubed too When the mystery bird takes To flight on his tail there is a spot of white I could watch him all the day But responsibility calls me away (My daughter said her husband said that it is a Northern Flicker and I looked it up and the pictures of the Northern Flicker match what I am seeing.)

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 2/22/2010 5:18:00 AM
This reminds me of my first sightings of hoopoes when I stayed at Kibbutz Erez in Israel. They really looked like tiny zebras.Enjoyed reading this poem, Sara!..Keep writing!...Gert
Login to Reply
Date: 2/18/2010 3:16:00 PM
i like this poem, the story poem where you can figure out the unknown through it's description, poetic bird watching, thats kinda cool
Login to Reply
Date: 2/16/2010 3:16:00 AM
Great to keep a watch Sara, it brightens the day and by sharing you hav ebrightened ours.Rgds Brian & thanks for your welcome comments
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2010 8:35:00 PM
THIS TIME I READ YOUR COMMENT FIRST. WELL I AM NOT MUCH OF A BIRD OBSERVER. I WOULD SAY IT IS A WOODPECKER OTHERS WOULD SAY DIFFER, ON HOW YOU MAKE YOUR POETRY A MYSTERY..IS THE REASON I LIKE TO READ YOUR WORK ..I LIKE A CHALLENGE...THIS ONE I AM GOING TO LOOK UNDER BIRDS.....I.T.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2010 8:34:00 PM
THIS TIME I READ YOUR COMMENT FIRST. WELL I AM NOT MUCH OF A BIRD OBSERVER. I WOULD SAY IT IS A WOODPECKER OTHERS WOULD SAY DIFFER, ON HOW YOU MAKE YOUR POETRY A MYSTERY..IS THE REASON I LIKE TO READ YOUR WORK ..I LIKE A CHALLENGE...THIS ONE I AM GOING TO LOOK UNDER BIRDS.....I.T.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2010 7:43:00 PM
The beauty of birds so beautifully described in this poem Sara.. they are such lovely creations of God for us to enjoy .. thankxxx for your lovely comments on my poetry reads tonight.. and for your encouragement in my contest entries... why don't u enter some of your wonderful poetry? they are certainly sure winners... luv.. Linda-Marie..
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2010 6:25:00 PM
Interesting observation Sara. Sounds like myself, I love watching nature's many types. Just a joke; do you know the difference between a woodpecker and a peckerwood?Smile! Sincere, Agape, Moses THANKS FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2010 3:07:00 PM
northern flicker or yellow hammer
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2010 2:51:00 PM
it is a flicker, I saw them and looked it up. I forget the specific type. I will try to find it again. It is a woodpecker, they eat bugs and peck them out of the ground and the trees.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2010 2:06:00 PM
Sounds like a woodpecker to me. Love to watch the birds, busy little guys. God Bless Phyl
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2010 1:42:00 PM
What an intriguing visitor you had, Sara. He does sound like a Woodpecker -- there are many species. They used to peck relentlessly and keep me awake while floating in the pool. Luckily, they always chose dead trees so no harm was done. You give us a rich description of "the mystery bird." Enjoyable read! Love, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2010 11:46:00 AM
There is four birds just alike visiting my yard. They look somewhat like a Ladderback Woodpecker but are different. I have never seen a Woodpecker eat from the ground. This bird is larger than a Blackbird but maybe not as large as a Crow but almost. It is very beautiful. I have enjoyed watching them for the last few days. They come to feed in the mornings. Does anyone have any idea what they might be?Sara
Login to Reply

Book: Shattered Sighs