Suzanne Edgar: ‘The Dawdling Ornithologist’

The Dawdling Ornithologist

When walking in a wild and wooded spot
and hoping some rare bird will soon be seen
it’s better, far, than moving at a trot
to pause a while, concealed among the green.
Here, stealthy creeping often proves the best
approach for finding sights and sounds.
This ploy may yield a robin on her nest
or fledglings as they flutter to the ground.
Though fit and hearty comrades in a mob
press on ahead through crackling twigs and leaves,
nosing about like ardent sniffer dogs,
the artful watcher lags but never grieves—
for she may be rewarded with the sight
of warblers, lurking in the dappled light.

Suzanne Edgar