Oh how I wish I was cute! How I wish I was clever –
enough to cause “chuckles” at my endeavor.
I would write an ode. I would write a poem,
about photographing Sage Grouse in their desert home.
So I’ll try once more. I’ll try again,
to tell a Grouse tale with paper and pen.
I needed those Grouse! Needed their pictures “by gum”,
and I knew just the place where there might be some.
So I journey out west, where there’s nary a tree,
to the Low Sage Plateau with my wife’s company.
In the evening we went to that wide open space.
Cause before it gets light, I must be in place.
Set up my blind by that rock over there.
Enter at 4:30 AM – with time to spare.
To be in place before the sun was ‘riz’,
and not “spook” the birds. It’s a touchy ‘biz.
In the blind in the dark, I freeze my “butt”.
But all around I can hear those Sage Grouse strut.
They boom and they flutter. Their wings beat the air,
but I’m safely “tucked in” and glad to be where:
I can get “close-ups” when it finally gets light.
I can get good photos. They should be just right!
In time the sun obliged, and “Oh what a sight”!
Those Grouse were strutting.They didn’t take flight!
There they were, right under my feet.
Man they were close, now wasn’t that sweet!”
I shot three and a half rolls, that I did.
It was hard to stop. Of that I don’t “kid”.
But a curious Pronghorn seemed out of his mind.
Bounded right up to look into my blind.
So off the birds flew. Flew off in their “glory”.
But I got some good pictures.
That’s the end of this story!
(Dave Hanks)
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