Comment from Maureen's Pen

Excellent

Dear Tom - they are indeed a sight when we see them stalking. I enjoyed it, lovely work and so full of nature's beauty which as you know i love.
Thanks for sharing.
Maureen

 Comment Written 08-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 08-Jun-2014

Thank you, Maureen.

Comment from Shirley E Kennedy

Excellent

It can be a truly mesmerising experience to watch the egrets and spoonbills work the waters of dams and waterways searching for tiny morsels for free.
You have told the tale of this bird's life quite nicely in 7/6/7/6 meter and perfect rhyme.

 Comment Written 08-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 08-Jun-2014

Thank you Shirley. I would love to get my camera lens on a spoonbill. We have them, but haven't captured one in my lens yet.

Comment from rod007

Excellent

A great piece about the nature that God created where there is always a balance with the scavenging birds and the fish and frogs who try to hide. Some succeed and nature's laws continues in their trek. Well done.

 Comment Written 07-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 08-Jun-2014

Thank you again rod.

Comment from Capricorn30

Excellent

A well-penned poem which complements the illustration nicely;
Spot-on rhyme as we learn of plant and animal;
Good alliteration.
Theses leaves are so thick--abundant feeding for this graceful bird

 Comment Written 07-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Jun-2014

Thank you Capricorn. I can tell you felt it.

Comment from adewpearl

Excellent

Yet another spectacular photo from you :-)
If I had any money, which I don't, I would so buy your coffee table book when it comes out :-)
solid use of abab rhyming
excellent alliteration in lilies load this lake and in many other lines
I love stilted step - what a great visual
beautiful descriptive detail and a wonderfully celebratory tone :-) Brooke

 Comment Written 07-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Jun-2014

Thank you so much Brooke. Your encouragement lights my sky.

Comment from Green Lake Girl

Excellent

Great poem, Tom. I love these amazing hunting birds. They are very good at stalking, and are very fun to watch. You are so skillful at capturing nature through your words. Wonderfully done!

 Comment Written 07-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Jun-2014

Thank you so much.

Comment from RGstar

Excellent

A good interpretive reaction to a feast of nature. Great imagery depicted here, both in words and image.
Another good structural delivery with this 7-67-7-6 aabb poem
Best wishes,
RG

 Comment Written 07-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Jun-2014

Thank you RG

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

Beautiful photo, Tom, and you have written a lovely poem to go with it. The rhyme is subtly different in each stanza, still keeping the 7-6-7-6 format, making for a lovely flow. A pleasure to read. :) Sandra

 Comment Written 07-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Jun-2014

Thank you Sandra. I'm glad you liked the picture and the poem.

Comment from Preston McWhorter

Excellent

Hi, Treischel,
"White Bird Hunting" is an excellent nature poem with vivid description structured in quatrains with excellent figurative language and imagery (lillies load lake, cabbage patch green.)It has good rhythm and rhyme.
Preston

 Comment Written 06-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Jun-2014

Thanks again Preston.

Comment from tfawcus

Excellent

They are such graceful birds! One comes each year to our farm dam late in the spring as the waters start to evaporate and the frogs have fewer places to hide. Your description of one as it "stalks its prey / on stilted steps / spearing supper with sharp beak / when tiny targets stray" captures the essence.

 Comment Written 06-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 07-Jun-2014

Thank you tfawcus. I am pleased you saw it and it resonated.