The noisy black birds descend

on the feed tray;

the sun shining on their glossy feathers,

the red and yellow wing stripes showing

off their pride. They fight over the choicest

morsels, while spreading the gossip

of the yard.

The smaller birds,

rusty breast and blue backs and wings

come for the meal worms

which the kind humans have left for them.

They are taking no crap

from the larger birds today

as they have spent the morning

fighting off Starlings over their nesting box.

As the sun takes pride of place in the sky

the wee hummingbirds come

to drink from the liquid feeders

filled by the kind humans.

Overhead, Sandhill cranes call

as vultures ride the thermals.

As the sun appears to descend

into the west

the kind humans are calling it a day as they

enter their stick built house

shutting out the night

with the closing of the door.

The cranes and vultures have gone

and the local birds find places to roost.

The hummingbirds, faced with another

night of cold enter their torpor once again.

Stray cats and possums appear

to drink from the water tray

left by the back door.