Naturalist Notes: In the Backyard

There is always something interesting happening in nature. Some people have this misconception that you have to be in the forest to see the wonders of nature, but really nature exists all around us! Just take a moment and look around, do you know how much cool stuff you can discover right in your own back yard?

Today I looked out my back door and there were Tropical Mockingbirds, Palm and Blue Tanagers, House Wrens, Yellow Orioles, and Bare-eyed Thrushes.

So next time you’re outdoors tune in to your surroundings, you would be surprise as to the amount of wildlife that exists.

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Standing upright and tall

With strong arms wide open

In each and every direction

Teeming with life

And yet giving life to all

Who am I?

© Denise Etienne

Blue and Yellow Macaw

Hello, thanks for bringing us back
For we were once under attack
Almost to the point of extinction
Now we are notable to distinction
Fruits and seeds we love to eat
Palms are definitely a tasty treat! 

                            ~ Denise Etienne

This poem and painting are featured in our book "Birds of Trinidad"

I will be taking two weeks off, be back soon.
Take care,
Denise

Poem by © Denise Etienne. Image: "Hello" watercolor, courtesy of © Beatrice Bork

Feel

Close your eyes and listen to the wind.

As it dances through the leaves. 

Filling your heart with utmost joy, in its simplicity.

Feel it caressing your skin.  

Comforting, counseling and healing your soul.

© Denise Etienne

What is it?

We all have some thing in nature which we adore
Be it animals, plants, or simply a sunrise or sunset.

Whatever it may be,

This brings you utmost joy.

One of my unseen pleasures,

Has the ability to calm my sometimes wandering soul.

When it touches my skin it has the gentleness of a feather,

But sometimes when angry is known to cause massive destructions!

What is it?

Life...

To love is to live

To live is to experience

To experience is to endure

To endure is to succeed

© Denise Etienne

Be good!

D

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow is a new day

Full of hopes, dreams and expectations

It knows no limitations

Only unfolding itself as a mystery

Be good!

D

Tranquility

Close your eyes and listen to the wind

As it dances through the leaves
Filling your heart with utmost joy, in its simplicity
Feel it caressing your skin
Comforting, counseling and healing your soul.

Be good!

D.

Connections...

The sun warms my soul

The rain washes away my pain
The breeze soothes my racing mind
The flower adds essence to my very being
The touch heals my wounded heart

© Denise Etienne

Scarlet Ibis

Swamps are the habitats in which I live 
Crustaceans are what I eat 
Allowing me this brilliant 
Radiant red plumage
Long ago they would hunt and eat me
Expensively were my feathers sold
Today, I am a spectacular tourist attraction


Indeed the National Bird of this cosmopolitan island
By law in Trinidad
I am protected and considered endangered 
So take some time and go look for me in Caroni


© Denise Etienne


This is an acrostic poem that I wrote on the Scarlet Ibis, which is the National bird of Trinidad. I am working on a book with friend of mine, Beatrice Bork, a talented animal artist. The book will be a compilation of her watercolors and my poems.

A thought for the day...

Everyone deserves to be happy
For we were all created equally
There are no favorites.
Mostly, we have a desire to be good
And do what we know is right.
Sometimes though, we become self righteous
Thinking that we are better than the next person
Judging as we see fit.
But what makes us better than our neighbors?
Don't we all have wrong doings?
Aren't we all guilty of something?
Because I may live my life differently from you
Does not mean that I am worth less.
We are all human beings
We are all called to love and be loved.

~Denise Etienne © 2010