A Year of Creating Dangerously, Day 40: Second Photo Walkabout of 2017

 

dsc_0335

Well, it didn’t take me long to get back out hiking with my camera in hand. I was in need of the anti-anxiety medication that is a heavy dose of the Great Outdoors. I ventured to a different trail in the Mer Bleue Conservation Area. The trail began with the bold and mighty chickadees and the joy of seeing a yellow-bellied sapsucker up close (usually they are way up in the trees, tapping away). Mostly, I welcomed a quiet and still place, the cold air in my face, and the chance to think and breathe.

In my photo-taking, I tried to pay more attention to the small things, the details along the way. Some winter days seem like living in Black and White TV or in sepia tone-land, depending on the sunlight; the colors aren’t showy, if any show themselves at all. You don’t get the burst of color from other times of the year, of course. Everything seems to be waiting, just biding its time, in no rush but laying in wait when Spring shows up. Everything, that is, except the busy Chickadees!

dsc_0256

dsc_0275

dsc_0294

dsc_0327dsc_0332dsc_0330dsc_0318

A Year of Creating Dangerously, Day 39: The Mighty Chickadee Rap

mighty-chickadee

“Mighty Chickadee”, 2016, Chalk Pastels & Charcoal

In my hikes in the woods in my part of the world, I’ve come to love the sound and company of the Black-capped Chickadee. I drew the above in honor of this boldest of the little big birds. On my most recent walk in the forest, I had fun watching them again and the thought occurred to me, “I wonder what a Chickadee rap would sound like?” After all, rappers are always about being bold, proud, making the utmost of what you have, just like these tough and tiny birds. So below is a birdy bit of Hip Hop. Sorry I can’t drop an appropriate beat for this on my blog. You’ll have to come up with that on your own…

 

The Mighty Chickadee Rap

I don’t float like a butterfly or sting like a bee

I ain’t no pushover like Ali, suckah

I’m a Mighty Chickadee!

 

They say I weigh half an ounce but what’s that to me?

I’m the King of the mo-fo forest, y’all 

I’m a Mighty Chickadee!

A-Dee-Chickadee, Chicka-Dee-Dee

A-Dee-Chickadee, Chicka-Dee-Dee

 

Yo, other birds go south, man, they don’t wanna freeze

But I’m the chillest and the illest black-capped

I’m a Mighty Chickadee! 

 

I could blow by Bolt, make him sorry to see me

I’m too fast for greased lightning, mon

I’m a Mighty Chickadee!

A-Dee-Chickadee, Chicka-Dee-Dee

A-Dee-Chickadee, Look-at-Me-Dee

 

Other birds they squawk but no bird chirps like me

I’m the Sultan of Sass

I’m a Mighty Chickadee!

 

Tarzan he go red as I leap from tree to tree

I’m the one Jane swings for

I’m the Mighty Chickadee! 

A-Dee-Chickadee, Chicka-Dee-Dee

A-Dee-Chickadee, Chicka-Dee-Dee

A-Dee-Chickadee, Chicka-Dee-Dee

A-Dee-Chickadee, Look-at-Me-ME