In Costa Rica, we saw many birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals that were colorful, exciting, and exotic. But there was also something special about seeing species that live in New England for part of the year. This prose poem is about a few of them. The "hourglass" refers to the shape of the Central American isthmus that all migratory species funnel through if they travel between North America and South America. Since I don't have photos of any of these birds, I've included one of the boots that are so helpful for walking along muddy rainforest paths.
Migration
Seen from the air, the “rich
coast” is a rough-hewn jewel. On the ground, it is a busy rainbow: thin neck of the American
hourglass through which all migratory species must pass. Hello, wood thrush! I
saw you last in New Hampshire. Ruby-throat, did you visit me in Hadley last
year? Oriole, I have never been to Baltimore, but maybe you’ve perched in
Boston? Old friend red-tail, it’s so good to see you. I will look for you in
May when I am back and you have also flown home to nest.
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| Boots at Tirimbina Biological Reserve |
