" A Soft Croak "...

" A Soft Croak "

by Suzán Jiván
Mom & Mom-
Mom Suzán

A soft croak
descending slowly
staccato popping
open water ponds
clustered flocks
harsh low barks
feral populations
overlapping range
and habitats
clucks and cackles
rust and black
unpatterned drab
masked quail
arid grasslands
strongly scaled
tail feathers fanning
on take off and landing
relatively pale females
white-tipped tails
dry chatter quacking
lesser prairie small areas
descending series
calling in clearings
deep gulping
pounding repeat
throaty dense reedy
nesting colonies
black legs and feet
foraging crouching
tidal creeks
white underwings
often seen running
prey is abundant
courtship colors...