Original Bird Poems and Bird Pictures
Welcome to Original Bird Poems and Bird Pictures!
Here is a unique mix of original poems about birds that I have written, combined with bird pictures from Canadian Birds in my Garden.
Enjoy!
My Inspiration
My inspiration for writing these bird poems comes from photographing birds in my garden. I enjoy watching their antics at the feeders and their interaction with other birds and animals that visit my backyard.
As you'll see, like many North American bird lovers, I have a love / hate relationship with the local raccoons because they use their persistence, and strong claws, to get at my bird seed no matter where I hide it!
An Apology
Let me apologize in advance to real poets everywhere. This is my first stab at writing poetry and I have no formal training so the results are somewhat amateurish.
By way of explanation, I offer this:
"I want to make my poems rhyme, I try to do it all the time.
It may not be the best approach .. what can I do without a coach?
Each syllable I try to count, but it's not easy to surmount.
It seems Am-e-ri-can is four, while hum-ming-bird is just three more!
Now take a look and read awhile, I hope they leave you with a smile!"
The Boys of Summer!
Inspiration for this bird poem comes from my love of baseball. I am a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays, my home team, and World Series Champions in 1992 and 1993.
I've also read just about every book ever written by the great Canadian writer W.P. Kinsella. His most famous baseball novel, Shoeless Joe, was made into the classic movie "The Field of Dreams".
This bird poem celebrates The Boys of Summer, as baseball players are often known.
The Boys of Summer
by Geoff Clarke
When the Blue Jay flies in to feed
On some peanuts and wild bird seed
Raccoon is waiting for the bird
And this is what I overheard:
"Good Morning Mister Blue Jay
How are you this glorious day?
Please throw me down some tasty nuts
And I'll promise not to be a clutz"
The Blue Jay threw a nut southpaw.
The raccoon did catch it in his claw.
“Where did you learn to throw so well?”, the raccoon asked, he could not tell.
The Toronto Blue Jay replied, "At SkyDome where we reside"
“Where did you learn to catch like that?” the Blue Jay pondered as he sat.
"I use my paws to tag my kits, with these claws I don't need mitts!"
"Let's play a game" the raccoon said, "we still have time before our bed".
"Game On! Play Ball!" screeched the Blue Jay, "The Boys of Summer are here to play!"
The Cardinals
Inspiration for this, my favourite bird poem, comes from my love affair with the Northern Cardinals. These birds remain in and around my garden all year and, when it is dull and drab outside, I am always cheered up by seeing a flash of red when the cardinals appear. They form a strong pair bond and are usually the first and last visitors of the day at my feeder.
The Cardinals by Geoff Clarke
It was a dreary winter's day,
And everything was dull and grey.
The drabness does not stem my tears,
But suddenly my friend appears.
A flash of red in the cedar,
On the fence then at the feeder.
The Cardinals are here all year,
Always together, always near.
They lift my heart, I know not why,
They cheer me up when they come by.
The male is red, a bright, bright red,
His partner’s brown, even on her head.
The Cardinals each have a crest,
So they always look at their best.
The Cardinals are here all year,
Always together, always near.
The American Eagle
by Geoff Clarke
Watch the American Eagle soar
King of the Skies in old folklore
He's majestic and strong
With his wingspan so long
Long live the bald eagle of yore!
The Mourning Dove and The Hawk
Inspiration for this bird poem came recently when we heard a thud at the kitchen window. When we went outside there was a pile of feathers where one of our resident mourning doves once sat. I can only conclude that one of the local hawks was to blame!
The Mourning Dove and The Hawk
by Geoff Clarke
The mourning doves are always here
Sitting around without any fear.
Meanwhile the hawk is high above
Looking for a tasty dove
Spotting his prey far down below
He dives to strike a stunning blow
Goodbye our darling mourning dove
Rest in peace, with all our love.
The Oriole and the Hummingbird
The inspiration for this bird poem came from the bird picture above showing a female ruby-throated hummingbird attempting to reach the nectar feeder but finding an Oriole already there. Hummingbirds are notoriously aggressive, not only with other birds, but also with each other.
The Oriole and the Hummingbird
by Geoff Clarke
The Oriole is thirsty and tries to get a drink
When the hummingbird approaches, attracted by the pink
The female Ruby-Throat hovers and flits
Scaring the Oriole out of its wits.
Sipping on the nectar, she says with a wink
"Don’t be fooled by me, I’m tougher than you think!"
The Raccoon Wars
Inspiration for this original poem comes from my constant battle to keep raccoons away from my bird feeder and seed supplies. Honestly, even though they are considered by many to be a pest, I like the masked bandits really.
The Raccoon Wars by Geoff Clarke
Raccoons are scroungers in my yard
To keep them from the seed is hard.
Tried a sign 'Don't eat my seed'
But seems as if they cannot read!
When evening comes the games begin
I wonder who is going to win?
I hear a noise out on the deck
My camera's ready, round my neck
The masked bandit is on the prowl
He’s up to something that’s quite foul
The flash goes off, I get the shot
He's up the pole and gets the lot!
Why do I try? I cannot win
It seems to me, I should give in!
The Woodpecker
Inspiration for this final bird poem comes from the constant stream of woodpeckers that fly out of the nearby woods onto by peanut feeder. I love the sound of a woodpecker almost as much as they love to peck!
The Woodpecker by Geoff Clarke
Woodpeckers peck at wood - Tap! Tap! Tap!
Searching for bugs and grubs – Rap! Rap! Rap!
Making holes in all the trees
Turning them into Swiss cheese
Drinking fluid from the trunk – Sap! Sap! Sap!
Celebrate The Birds In Your Garden!
I hope you've enjoyed Original Bird Poems and Bird Pictures, my first stab at writing poetry, coupled with my own bird photography. Hopefully I'll get better, but it was fun trying!
For more bird-related articles, with lots of bird pictures but no bird poems (I promise), you might be interested in:
- Canadian Birds in my Garden
- Canadian Birds
- How to Create a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Habitat
- Bird Quotes and Bird Sayings
Thanks for stopping by!
Geoff