morning was clear

blue sky, no clouds

sun rising over the foothills

Chill with ice covered trails

Snow crunching under boots

A clear sky with a chill

Deer foraging, small shoots

of green grass, lingering still

Some settled on ground

in the growing warmth

of the rising sun

Morning was quiet

as if birds were keeping secrets

flitting from branch to branch

across the field as we hiked

It wasn’t a quack

more of a squawk

as we approached the pond

half in shade from the

trees along the trail

Sun rising, bright for the morning

few clouds to measure the light

birds a plenty flitting from tree to tree

not loud, faintly heard chirping

almost unrecognized