Since the pandemic, my walks have been confined mainly to my neighborhood. I began my almost daily morning walks as the spring buds were beginning to bloom, and now the days are growing shorter and hints of red, orange, and yellow leaves are appearing. But I’m fortunate to live near the Delaware River and a beautiful park. I’ve discovered how the river’s color changes with light and tides, and how a red-winged blackbird chirps as it flies by from a marsh. Without a hike into the wildness, I find wild wonders nearly every day—wildflowers, hawks, turkeys, and deer. Yesterday, I saw a bald eagle so close, perched on a bare treetop. I gazed at him in awe, and he dismissed me as unimportant and probably soon forgotten. It doesn’t matter. I had a moment of magic to remember, while he was looking for his next meal to survive.
Bald eagle pauses,
keen eyes survey his kingdom—
treetops turning gold
A Haibun for Frank’s prompt on dVerse using the word hike.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Another great example of the glories and wonders one can find when they take time to notice. 🙂
Thanks so much, Frank. Yes–and hi! 😀
Hi Merril.
😀
This is so incredible, Merril. What a special treat. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much, Jill!
Derek freaked out when I showed him the photo yesterday. He LOVES eagles…and the Philadelphia Eagles, too. 🙂
Oh, that’s so funny! And thank you for showing him the photo.
I don’t follow or watch sports at all, but my husband of course is an Eagles fan. 😀 I was going to write something on the instagram post about it being a S. Jersey Eagle, not a Philadelphia Eagle. 🤣
LOL! Your husband might not have liked that. 🙂 Oh my gosh, when the Eagles won the Superbowl a couple of years ago…he cried. LOL!
It was crazy around here after that Super Bowl! I took the train into the city the next day to see my mom–Eagle stuff everywhere. There were signs and banners up for months in Philadelphia!
I bet! Derek would have loved it. He lived in Philly as a kid and has been a fan since.
There’s so much wonder and solace in nature, Merril. It’s my go-to place these past months too – where I find normalcy and peace. Great photo! What a treat. 🙂 Be well.
Thanks so much! You, too.
I’ve seen an eagle in a nearby park a couple of times. Really something to remember. Your writing conveys that feeling. And all your posts at your park are inspiring me to visit it sometime. It looks beautiful.
Thank you so much, Claudia. It’s a small park, but it’s pretty. There are picnic tables though if you wanted to work there. Let me know if you’re ever planning to visit, and I’ll say hello from a distance. 😀 They’ve done a lot of work on it in the last few years.
Thank you for the information. I am making a note of it. And if I do come there I will certainly let you know, as you say, it would be nice to say hello from a distance! But a short distance compared to going all the way through wherever all these internet words go, right?!
Yes, exactly!
A Perfect haiku close to an overwhelmingly perfect haibun. Salute!
Wow, Ron! Thank you so much!
I’m having a similar experience, Merril. My appreciation for my immediate environment has deepen over these last few months. Your photos of the bald eagle are stunning.
Thank you so much, Marie. Just when I think it’s getting a bit boring around here, I see something like this!😀
I love your haibun! As Ron noted, it’s perfect. And you were able to capture the eagle at full wing-spread, very impressive!
Aww–thank you so much, Liz. I was standing there for a long time with my phone camera just waiting to see if it would fly–and actually, I think he got annoyed at another woman’s talking. 😀
That worked out to your advantage!
I love this post – and the comments too. Yes, nature refreshes, a calming constant in a world of overwhelm. Brava, Merril!
Thank you very much, Marian! It is definitely is.
Lovely piece Merril, (and great pix). Yes, there’s something about the local isn’t there? And a bald eagle too, though laughing at the indifference nature has towards us romantics.
Thank you, Peter.
It is funny–I’m so excited to see these wild creatures, and they either see me as a threat or could care less. 😀
What an amazing sight! I would love to see a bald eagle in the wild: I’ve seen other types of eagle but we don’t have these in Europe!
Thank you very much, Ingrid. It was an amazing sight!
Wonderful
Thank you, Derrick.
I lovely piece that reminds us that we don’t have to go far to enjoy beauty, Merril. As of next week, I’m going farther than the local playing field. We have a fair range of wildlife around here, but sadly no eagles.
Thank you, Kim!
I believe bald eagles are only in North America–our national bird. Enjoy your travels. We’re not going anywhere in the near future.
Wonders close to home! Amazing.
Thank you so much. It truly is!
Welcome
I love this, Merril. If nothing else, Covid has forced us to take a closer look at where we live, our surroundings that we might not have done without the restrictions.
Lovely Haibun.
Yes, you’re so right. I used to walk around the park sometimes, but not all around the neighborhood. Thank you! 😀
There is good in any situation when we take the time to look for it. 🙂
So true! 😀
What a nice treat, an eagle in the not-so-wild.
Yes, exactly. I’ve been seeing them fly around, but to have one so close was very special.
I have experienced the same… walking around the neighborhood… two times we have spotted white-tailed eagles,,, and once a beaver…
Thank you. It’s so cool to come across sights like those. I saw deer very close to me today.
The majesty of a bald eagle highlights the majesty of your walks. Fabulous photos!
Thanks so much, Pam!
Showed the photo to my granddaughter, who loves birds. Thank for sharing.
Thank you so much. I’m honored.
Beautiful and vivid! An iconic presentation on experiencing the beauty of nature without the need to trek through the wilderness. That photo of the Bald eagle is priceless! Brava, Merril! 🙂
Thank you very much, Frank! It was a thrill to see it.
I am with you, exactly! Save a park’s autumn colours, birds, animals and river’s colours’ changes are an alley’s colours, painted animals, a river of art and lots of magic to remember.
You walk the Delaware, I walk the alleys.
We are both so lucky to have and find the beauty where we are!
Yes, indeed, Resa. And it’s finding that unexpected bit of beauty that makes the day special.