Today's Solo Act at Lake O'Donnell

I do not know
and do not think
the killdeer
means to signal distress

but I do think this

this single killdeer's
infrequent bobbing
standing (not skittering)
staring out not down
constant calling
deedeedee
deedeedee
defines
plaintive

which gives the bird
its name
I now know
(Allaboutbirds.com)

but I think today
sadness
not distress
as if this one bird
awaits a mate

Tallying Again

As the temperature rises and the sun continues to shine, more and more Odonates appear, making it time to create a new tally.

Today, at Lake O'Donnell and Grundy Lakes, I saw a Black Saddlebags (O'Donnell) and these for the first time this season:

Double-striped Bluet at Grundy Lakes

Skimming Bluets at Grundy Lakes

Orange Bluets at Grundy Lakes

Spangled Skimmer at O'Donnell

Now for the order: 

Common Green Darner

Fragile Forktail

then Common Baskettail

Springtime Darner

next Blue Corporal

Carolina Saddlebags

Lancet Clubtail

followed by Common Whitetail

Azure Bluet

Southern Spreadwing

Comet Darner

Violet Dancer

Painted Skimmer

Black Saddlebags

Spangled Skimmer

Double-striped Bluet

Skimming Bluet

Orange Bluet

Addendum on May 9:

Citrine Forktail

Doubled-ringed Pennant

Addendum May 11

Eastern Pondhawk

Stream Cruiser

Addendum May 13

Blue Dasher

Addendum May 16

Swamp Spreadwing

Addendum May 18

Amber-winged Spreadwing

Yes, and It's Sky, Too

October
by Bobbi Katz

October is

when night guzzles up

the orange sherbet sunset

and sends the day

to bed

before supper

            and

October is when jack-o’-lanterns

grin in the darkness

            and

            strange company crunches

across the rumple of dry leaves

to ring a doorbell.

October is

when you can be ghost,

            a witch,

                        a creature from outer space…

almost anything!

And the neighbors, fearing tricks,

            give you treats.