Red-Winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Red-Winged Blackbird

There is nothing like
walking nonchalantly
along my hiking trail
when suddenly
I'm dive-bombed
by a protective
red-winged blackbird.

It sits high
on an electric wire,
surveying the world
in every direction,
as if daring
someone --
someone like me --
to pass.

Who would think
there could be
such hostility
between bird
and human?

But its tactic works.

Now whenever I see
that bird
on its wire,
I take another path.

The bird has made
its point --

and wins!

****

(For those unfamiliar with red-wingbed blackfirds:  This bird is very territorial in Wisconsin from mid-March until mid to late July, peaking in aggressiveness during its breedingand nesting season.  I have been
dive-bombed by one of them, and it is not fun.)