The Kestrel (photo by deoroller)
I came across this beautiful poem about the Kestrel, which is a small falcon only a little bigger than a Robin. It’s distinctly colorful and when it hunts, it “hovers” in the currents of the wind.
It was written by Gerard Hopkins and published in 1918. He admires this remarkable bird of prey alluding that it controls the wind as a man might control a horse. The kestrel then suddenly swoops downwards and “rebuffs the big wind”.
The Windhover
I caught this morning morning’s minion, kingdom of daylight’s dauphin,
dapple-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding
High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! Then off, off forth on swing,
As a skate’s heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend; the hurl and gliding
Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird–the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!Brute beauty and valor and act, oh, air, pride, plume, here
Buckle! And the fire that breaks from thee then, a billion
Times told lovelier, more dangerous, O my chevalier!No wonder of it; sheer plod makes plow down sillion
Shine, and blue-bleak embers, ah my dear,
Fall, gall themselves, and gash gold-vermillion.
by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Now that you’ve felt his immense delight for this bird’s prowess and design, watch this video of the kestrel floating on the currents of the wind with its eye to the ground for a tasty morsel.
I loved how Hopkin’s described the Kestrel as “daylight’s dauphin, dapple-drawn Falcon.” You can see in this video the beautiful dapple coloring in its wings. The Kestrel is also known as the “Windhover” as it requires a slight headwind in order to hover.
The stirring poem, the gorgeous picture and that amazing clip are thoroughly intriguing. The design of the bird is so intricate; it’s ability to hover is so cool. Thanks for the great post.
Gorgeous photo!!
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Amazing!
here from #commenthour. Love the blog-the poem was beautiful. I would love it if you could stop by blog-Newlyweds on a Budget http://www.morganandkari.com
Kari
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Beautiful. I love to watch birds of all kinds. They are amazing.
Terrific post. That's such a thought provoking poem. Thanks.
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Wow, fascinating post. What a lovely bird!! Visiting from SITS commenthour. "Hi!"
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Thanks for visiting – I just visited your blog and love it!
Nice! We had an American kestrel that would come every fall/winter and perch on our fence to look for things to eat. My husband made a nesting box for him. Next thing we know, a northern screech owl took up residence in the nesting box! The kestrel still came for a while. We liked seeing him.
Wow – it must have been amazing having an owl so near!
An amazing video of a most striking bird! What a sight to see. Wonderful post. A joy to visit your splendid blog!
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Thank you so much! The photos on your blog are just magnificent. I could stare at them all day
These birds are hauntingly elegant. I love how your writing is so organic and captures their essence. Lovely poem. Just beautiful. Stopping by for #commenthour
Thank you so much!
Fantastic post and such elegant birds. Great poem as well!
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Gorgeous! And I love that you included the poem
Gorgeous birds, beautiful poem. Thanks for sharing!
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Gorgeous photos and poems – I love Kestrels! Stopping by and following from the LBS Tea Party.Come see me at LightenUp!
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I love the video. I saw a kestrel the other day–had to do a little research to see what it was. Just visiting from the LBS Tea Party. Thanks for this beauty, it makes my day!
Wow! Magnificent.