Clarence Amos Jefferis

Pigeons are now extinct. These devoted birds served mankind well as carrier pigeons flying messages to strategic places, even war zones, before the advent of computers and smart phones.

    The Naturalist

    Orchids grow in humid holders;
    Pet pigeons ride upon his shoulders
    As calmly as aqua parakeets,
    Unafraid of a Spaniel up-ending for treats.

    Freeport swamps find Whooping Cranes,
    Dipping down to beg a catch.
    No longer a secret fishing haunt,
    Clarence opens his wire-cage latch.

A turkey we named Jasper Tom escaped from a truck-load headed for the market. He was found strutting around a pond of pet ducks and geese making himself at home for about four years ... until a hungry wolf invaded his wire fencing.

    Cameras clicked when he flared his tail--
    Like opening a fan or a sail.
    We wonder who opened the gate,
    Allowing inside a hungry ingrate.

    Toy dogs are smart
    Making up for size,
    So it's no surprise
    They steal your heart.

    Michael pets mongrel
    Gift from a nearby farmer
    Background peacocks watch

    Michael goes to San Antonio
    With bandit and King Ray.
    The Alamo's on the way.

    Painted from snapshot
    Alert dog now hangs on wall
    Gaffing insurance

    Pigmy owl nested in my backyard hollow elm:
    I waited until he left his realm
    For an early morning camera shot,
    Hoping he wouldn't abandon his leafy plot.

    A cat who loved the watercolor block,
    Pressing the hard-pressed paper even more,
    Or waiting for her turn to pose?

    Near the beautiful Taj Mahal
    Young sahib holds his cobra pet--
    Cobra venom doth stall
    Hands that reach for a frozen asset.

    With feathers aglow , he steals the show
    Demanding a place to strut or race,
    A makeshift stage ... Outside the cage
    A place to squawk and learn to talk.

    Cockatiel clings to shoulder,
    With Eddy no less bolder.

Bantam Rooster minds the nestlings.

    Choosing leadership
    To fly over rural pond
    Gaggling geese line-up

    Home-made pond attracts
    Wild geese ... Dry dog food and corn
    Attract gosling brood


    Hear my loud honking
    We're set for a morning swim
    Please throw out our corn

    Spoonbills in flight
    What an astounding sight
    Domestic ducks perceived ...
    Instincts no longer retrieved/

    Tina lounges on hearth
    Surrounded by artifacts.
    Ben Franklin stove will keep her warm
    When winter chill impacts.

    Clydesdale or Shetland Pony,
    Horses saved our aching feet
    Palomino or Strawberry Roan
    Earned pastures green and sugar treat.

    Pinto and Appaloosa with friends
    Are grazing around the barn
    Where the good grass never ends
    On a well-kept farm in early morn.

    What a charming child
    Jennifer clutches her doll
    Her smiling rag toy

    Hatched Whooping Crane
    Lessens the extinction bane

    Loons cry a warning
    With ducklings passing by
    Floating on mama's back

    Friendly Mallard watching a sleeping Muskogee:
    Why can' t she fly away with me?
    I would enjoy her company.

Peahen

Peacock

A pair of beauties hatched a fledging and...