The Nature of Things

Today, December 5, is the fifth anniversary of this blog . At the time that I started writing here, I also had two other blogs that I had started three years earlier at the behest of our local newspaper, The Houston Chronicle . In one, "Backyard Birder," I wrote about my experiences with birding, and in the other, "Gardening With Nature," I wrote about my efforts at habitat gardening. Earlier this year, I decided that what I had to say could be covered in my one eclectic blog - this one - and I folded the other two blogs in with "The Nature of Things." That, in a very small nutshell, has been my experience with blogging. Frankly, it has all been a blast and I look forward to continuing it into the foreseeable future.  Thank you to all those who take time to read my scribblings. I do appreciate the time that you give me and your allowing me to come into your life. I hope that you will continue to visit me here from time to time and - dare I dream? - that ...

Today we say goodbye to one of the most exciting months of the year for birders along the Gulf Coast. It has been a month filled with a constant stream of migrating birds. Even birders who haven't been able to get out of their own backyards have been in the "catbird seat" of bird viewing this month. Of course, here at the end of the month, we are getting a little more excitement than we bargained for with the oil spill that threatens the wildlife that we love. But that's a topic for another day. Today I want to talk about poetry. Did you know that April is National Poetry Month ? April, also, marks my fourth anniversary as a blogger. I started the Backyard Birder blog for the Houston Chronicle on April 3, 2006. So, today, before I let April go, I want to honor National Poetry Month with a poem and also to mark my blogging anniversary with a poem about one of my favorite backyard birds. Enjoy. Mockingbirds by Mary Oliver This morning two mockingbirds in the gr...