Feathered Elegance

March 27, 2020March 24, 2020 ~ V.J. Knutson ~ 18 Comments

Rumours of the Tundra Swans in our neighbourhood lure us out. They migrate through here in early spring and linger for a week or two. We head to the drive along the river where the Common Mergansers are currently doing their mating dances.

Caught this female in the midst of the ritual. Love the hairdo.

Further downstream, we spotted a newcomer to town: Hooded Merganser.

Such a beautiful bird.

The swans were nowhere in sight, so we decided to drive to a nearby town. On the way, I spotted a few large white birds on a local pond:

Elegance with feathers.

( For Eugi’s Causerie weekly prompt: elegance.)

The River, My Heart

March 25, 2020March 21, 2020 ~ V.J. Knutson ~ 36 Comments

A landmark in my life, the river follows
ages, and eras, seasons measured by her flow

She acknowledges change, bears the winter
regally, swells with confidence as Spring rains

Will walk beside me in sunnier times, and
hold my secrets as Autumn catches us in her flames

She holds my heart, my faith, always knows
and at end of day, oh how she glows.

(For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: A River Runs Through It.)

Reflections Fascinate

March 13, 2020March 13, 2020 ~ V.J. Knutson ~ 20 Comments

(For Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge: reflections)

February 21, 2020February 20, 2020 ~ V.J. Knutson ~ 25 Comments

A walk in nature reduces life-sized problems
to ant-like awe – an open secret often ignored.

I travel back roads, am humbled by
the power of farm machines,
the vastness of the sky.

Gratitude larger than this limiting skin.

(For Cee’s On the Hunt for Joy challenge: make yourself small; Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: roads; and, Reena’s Exploration challenge: oxymorons.)