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When They Fledge From Their Ledge

Avidly watching for nigh on three weeks
A black backed gull protecting her eggs
Through gales and rain or heat from the sun
Whatever the weather thrown down from above 
             This truly was a labour of love
So open to the elements fearing for her brood
Already having lost two nests 
prayed weather would improve
I hope it’s third time lucky ~ oh I do hope that is true
Each day through my binoculars the nest comes into view
               Today...
                    sweet joy and happiness 
                          Two pretty ~ spotty ~ fluffy chicks 
                                 are standing there brand new 

The cutest ~ newest ~ spotty ~ babes 
       and the proudest Mum I ever knew
             She gave the loudest seagull call 
                   announcing their birth to one and all

  My heart skipped a beat 
  when one ventured too close 
                                 to the edge of the ledge 
                          from whence the chicks will fledge

But Mum was there ~ she was totally aware
      gently nudging it to safety 
           with such tender loving care

I will watch them for hours until that final day
   
            When they fledge from their ledge  
                          
                                                   and boldly fly away…



Written 10th July 2020  ~~ with tears of joy in my eyes

Contest Strand Completely New (8)
Sponsor Brian Strand
FIRST PLACE

Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2020

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Line Gauthier Date: 2/24/2021 6:10:00 PM Love this one, Ann ~ the flow and feeling is perfect. Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 2/25/2021 12:57:00 PM Awww thank you somuch Line it really was a joy to watch as the eggs hatched ~ and with such cute chicks all fluffy and spotty and thankfully they eventually fledged safely. It will soon be time for the parents to start all over again... kindest thoughts Ann xx

Caren Krutsinger Date: 7/18/2020 1:52:00 AM Congratulations Ann. Well done! Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 2/25/2021 12:54:00 PM Many thanks Caren for your congratulations ~ I always appreciate your visits. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Sam Kauffman Date: 7/14/2020 6:55:00 PM For several years we had a family of wrens hatch their family in one of our birdhouses. I watched them every day until I knew they had safely learned to fly. Every year they return. I hear their song and rejoice! Wonderful story - beautifully and creatively told. Congratulations Ann! Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 7/15/2020 1:15:00 AM Oooh Sam I love the tale of your sweet wrens, such tiny birds what a joy and an honour to see them safely fledge! Like you I feel so privileged to watch mother natures gifts, how lucky are we? Thank you so much for your encouraging comments my friend. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

John Watt Date: 7/13/2020 9:24:00 PM Your love for these chicks and their mama was evident in every word, dear Ann. Loved your tale and sharing your joy! Congrats, my friend ~ John Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 7/14/2020 6:59:00 AM Bless you John and thank you so much. Yes when I first saw those sweet little chicks I was so emotional, as two previous nests with eggs had been destroyed by the weather, so such joy to see these actually hatch... With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Heidi Sands Date: 7/12/2020 2:22:00 PM Congratulations for your win Ann :) Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 7/12/2020 4:51:00 PM Thank you so much dear Heidi for your congratulations ~ keep well my friend. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Janice Canerdy Date: 7/12/2020 12:33:00 PM Ann, this is a lovely WINNING poem! Janice Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 7/12/2020 4:52:00 PM Oh Janice, that is really sweet of you, thank you very much. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Gordon Mcconnell Date: 7/12/2020 11:29:00 AM A great write Ann, telling so well the miracles of nature as you told it so well. I take it you live out in the country to get such opportunities of watching nature at work. Hope you are well, and keeping safe, Gordon Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 7/12/2020 4:56:00 PM Bless you Gordon for your comments, but no I live in the centre of Eastbourne, by the sea in a penthouse apartment that looks down onto buildings with chimney pots and a concrete ledge, which is where they have built a nest. They are so vulnerable there, but hopefully they will survive and eventually fledge successfully. How lucky I am to see them from my balcony. Hoping you are both well my friend. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Bryan Norton Date: 7/12/2020 10:45:00 AM A very sweet poem, and very well written. You really sucked me into the story. Thanks for sharing. Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 7/12/2020 5:01:00 PM Hello Bryan, how nice to meet you and thank you so much for your wonderful comments, I really appreciate your visit and thank you. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Imran Islam Date: 7/10/2020 5:32:00 PM What a beautiful write! Nicely penned indeed. God bless! Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 7/12/2020 4:08:00 AM Thank you so much dear Lure, it is such a joy to see those cute chicks, so tiny and vulnerable, with their very proud mother ~ mother nature at her best. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Caren Krutsinger Date: 7/10/2020 4:31:00 PM "the proudest mom you ever knew" only if you exclude yourself, Ann. Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 7/12/2020 4:07:00 AM Oh yes Caren, I am excluded, haha... Thank you for your visit my friend. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Tom Cunningham Date: 7/10/2020 10:32:00 AM The beauty of nature, so wonderful to see Ann, Always wanted to retire to the coast, love the sea. Weathers going to pick so the forecast says, bring it on. Tom Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 7/10/2020 1:13:00 PM After so many incidents with her previous nests, it was an utter joy when I saw those sweet chicks this mornng and she really did give out such a loud call, as if saying, 'they have arrived', haha... have a great weekend in the sun Tom, with kindest thoughts Ann xx

Heidi Sands Date: 7/10/2020 9:07:00 AM This is so great to hear! What a special sight to be watching Ann. Thank you for sharing it with us :) Login to Reply Ann Gilmour Date: 7/10/2020 1:10:00 PM Yes it is wonderful Heidi, and has really made my day. Thank you for your lovely visit dear Heidi and I hope you are well my friend. Think I may have to camp out on my balcony as do not want to miss a thing, haha... With kindest thoughts Ann xx