Allyson Whipple

Tag: birdathon

  • Birdathon: Mute Swan

    Peculiar that swan should mean a sound?
    I’d thought of gods and power, and wounds.
    But here in the curious quiet this one has settled down.

    From “Inside My Head” by Robert Creeley

    IMG_4723
    Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

    (Note: The mute swan is not native to Central Texas. In the Travis Audubon seasonal distribution guide notes that it was an introduced/escaped species originally bred in captivity. The mute swan now manages to breed in the wild.)

    From April 1st until May 15th I’m taking part in Birdathon, a challenge I’m undertaking as as member of Travis County Audubon to raise money in support of local birds and their habitat. My goal is to raise $500, and I’m 35% of the way there! If you’d like to contribute to my campaign, visit my donation page.

  • Birdathon: American Coot

    American Coots

    Not everything that floats
    is a duck. Or contains
    the mythic beauty
    of a swan. Or honks
    a song all the way
    across a continent.
    Or inspires philosophy
    and odes. We squeak
    and clack, white beaks
    stark against the black.
    Not everything that flies
    does so with grace.
    We can race
    into the sky, but our wings
    strain against the air.
    Not everything made
    of meat is edible.
    Not every game
    is worth the chase.
    We thrive on indifference.
    Not every water bird
    waddles. Watch us dig
    our toes deep into the sand,
    watch us root
    ourselves to the world.

    From April 1st until May 15th I’m taking part in Birdathon, a challenge I’m undertaking as as member of Travis County Audubon to raise money in support of local birds and their habitat. My goal is to raise $500, and I’m 35% of the way there! If you’d like to contribute to my campaign, visit my donation page.

  • Birdathon 2017: Great-Tailed Grackle

    Warn those you love when the predator
    approaches. Screech loudest when you
    are the predator.

    From “Advice from the Grackle” by Susan Elizabeth Howe

    IMG_4674
    Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)

    From April 1st until May 15th I’m taking part in Birdathon, a challenge I’m undertaking as as member of Travis County Audubon to raise money in support of local birds and their habitat. My goal is to raise $500, and I’m a third of the way there! If you’d like to contribute to my campaign, visit my donation page.