Farwell to karval

I wanted to express a sincere thanks to all who have helped me and my family. We have made some wonderful friends and grown so much. I have experienced the wonders of the short grass prairie. I photographed birds and scenic beauty. All I can say is the prairie is a vast open space filled with life and tremendous opportunities. So as I leave the community I have loved my time here and will take a small part of Karval with me. Some of it may have blown to New Mexico ahead of me.


So as I prepare to disconnect my computer for now. I say thank-you. Until we meet again.

A Peach of a Tree

The wonders of Karval are still amazing me - as I sat early in the morning enjoying the cool breezes coming in the window. My attention was constantly drawn to the peach tree. It seemed to be alive with movement. Patiently, I waited for some clue as to the identity of the bird in there. After a short time, other visitors came to add to the tree. At one point, there were five unusual ornaments and a couple of flashing lights to boot.

Have you ever seen a Logger-head Shrike

as it shoots across the yard?

A black, gray, and white comet

flashed before me- what a sight!

A pinwheel of alternating shades

in stark contrast to each other

perched the little masked bandit,

ready to take breakfast.

Constantly, positions changed.

Racers burst forth in a flash of stripes

from fence to tree to bush then grass.

The peach tree made a nice pit stop

while cruising in and out of the yard.

Astonished, I watched

as four others joined the first-

a family in formal attire

Blood-orange heads moved among the branches-

black wings with bold white patches.

Another morning friend greeted my weary eyes.

Yellow, orange bolted from the leaves.

On the fence he stopped - then the fiery meteor halted,

safely back in the tree.

Orioles moved about as mobile fruit on the tree.

One never knows what gift awaits just outside the door,

but I know the Giver of it.