BIRDS and WILDLIFE IN TEXAS

Robin

When I hear a robin sing at sunset, I cannot help contrasting the equanimity of Nature with the bustle and impatience of man. We return from the lyceum and caucus with such stir and excitement as if a crisis were at hand; but no natural scene or sound sympathizes with us, for Nature is always silent and unpretending as at the break of day. She but rubs her eyelids. --Henry David Thoreau, April 25, 1841

Squirrel in Garden

…if I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes.” – Charles Lindbergh


*Pileated Woodpecker*	Kissing Cardinals	Lizard

Flying
by
Jim Brady

The youngest bird learns to fly
By being forced out of the nest
Before the leap, you hear the cry
Of the young birds fatal test.

He's forced to try something new
An action he wasn't trained for
Spread his wings, as he's seen others do.

His world becomes a great door
If he doesn't try what he's seen
Spread his wings for the new sky
To his death he will careen.

Without reaching out to fly
In those few seconds of his trial
Life and death are in his hand
Reach out and fly or stay in denial.

That his past ideas will stand
To watch the bird in this simple way
To see how easy for him to fly
How could anyone look up and say
"Stay closed, you will not die."