Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
banner
neildbarker.bsky.social
Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
@neildbarker.bsky.social
Sijo poetry inspired by Nature.
neildbarker.ca
Peanut Breakfast
Bitter cold yet bright sunny morning, sheltered amongst the trees.
Out of the wind, in a sanctuary of sorts, sharing food.
My companions arrive by wing and by foot, to eat their fill.

#poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature #eastergreysquirrel
December 11, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Morning Snowfall
A snowy morning, large flakes falling silently on the lake.
Perched afar, a lone figure is watching the world intently.
The silence is broken by cries and the crunching of footfalls.

#poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature #birds #coopershawk
December 10, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme from @robcrank68.bsky.social is #SideViews and the Alternative is #TurningAway birds not looking at you. I am sharing this #GreenHeron I saw this past Summer turning away from me. #birds #herons #Photography #EastCoastKin
December 9, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Cold Winter Walk
Winter reawakened, a multitude of snow has fallen.
Hints of the changing season, hidden once more from our senses.
Temper expectations, the only moment is the present.

#poem #poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #poetrycommunity #nature #winter
December 9, 2025 at 9:44 AM
An Eagle, a Raven, and Crows
A morning meal shared with tensions aside, temporarily.
Attracting attention, more gather with hopes of joining soon.
Three diners of different spirit, eat together in truce.

#poem #poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #eagle #raven #crow
December 8, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme from @alan678.bsky.social is #NestBuilders birds with nest materials. I'm sharing a #coopershawk I saw with nesting materials in April 2024 here in #Ottawa. #birds #photography #EastCoastKin
December 8, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Peaceful Peanuts
The quiet of the woods broken by crunching snow and bird calls.
Rumours of seeds and peanuts echo around you, hurry up!
You have no wings, but your four feet work well, quick - grab a peanut!

#poem #poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #redquirrel
December 7, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme from @robcrank68.bsky.social is #BirdsOnTwigs, any bird on a thin branch. The Alternative theme is Ducks #OutOfWater.

I'm sharing this #blackcappedchickadee I saw here in #Ottawa.

#birds #photography #EastCoastKin #naturephotography #birdphotography
December 7, 2025 at 9:01 AM
At the Water’s Edge
Two worlds meeting at the shore, both cold, one flowing and one firm.
Each is dependent on the other, but looking more closely.
Reveals the unseen Truth that there are not two worlds, simply One.

#poem #poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature
December 6, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Watching
A bright Winter morning and a pine tree stands in the sunshine.
A figure approaches, bundled against the cold, what is it?
Curious yet cautious, peering down from above, you keep watch.

#poem #poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature #eastergreysquirrel
December 5, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Competition
Mid-Winter encounters on the cold river, setting the stage,
For things to come in Spring, numbers increasing for some...others
Must wait for their turn, when the Seasons circle back once again.

#poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #birds #commongoldeneye
December 4, 2025 at 9:32 AM
The #BirdOfTheDay theme today from @alan678.bsky.social is #Songbirds and the alternative is #Seabirds. Here is a #SongSparrow I saw earlier this past Spring.

#birds #sparrows #photography #EastCoastKin
December 4, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Patience & Silence
A humid morning on the lake, lush bright greenery abounds.
A still figure perched on a rock, observes quietly and waits.
Patience and silence rewards with a bounty on this morning.

#poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature #birds #greenheron
December 3, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme from @robcrank68.bsky.social is birds #LookingAtYou, and the Alternative are birds #OnTheRocks. I am sharing a photo of a juvenile #GreatHornedOwl I saw a few years go here in #Ottawa.

#birds #owls #photography #EastCoastKin #naturephotography
December 3, 2025 at 8:40 AM
The Nose Knows
A bright morning, padding softly on hard snow this way and that.
Following scents and sounds of things no longer present and seen.
The awakening day is your sign to sleep, time to turn in.

#poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature #wildlife #raccoon
December 2, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme from @alan678.bsky.social is #stripes any bird that has a stripe marking. The alternative is #mono bird captures, black and white. I'm sharing a #BarredOwl I found dozing late morning here in #Ottawa #birds #owls #photography #EastCoastKin
December 2, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Stoically Sensing
Nearing the Autumn season, a figure stands stoically.
Waiting: challenges above and opportunities below.
Sensing all from both worlds, standing at the surface that divides.

#poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #birds #herons #blackcrownednightheron
December 1, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme from @robcrank68.bsky.social is all about #Reflections and the Alternative is #LongTails.

I'm going with a male #Mallard #Duck I saw a few years ago here in #Ottawa. #birds #photography #naturephotography #birdphotography #EastCoastKin #nature
December 1, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme from @AlanH is #BerriesandBeaks
Bird–berry interactions, colour contrasts, or seasonal food sources. The alternative is #corvids. I am sharing a Cedar Waxwing I saw a few years ago in Winter 2022 here in #Ottawa. #birds #photography #EastCoastKin #Stunday
November 30, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Nature’s Engineer
A break in the Winter weather, an opening on the lake.
From the waters, emerges Nature’s engineer, bleary-eyed.
Slowly awakening, to help shape and guide, like Spring itself.

#poem #poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature #wildlife #beaver
November 30, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Not Rooted
In a field lies the remains of a giant of yesteryear.
A story is revealed by what they held dear within their roots.
To know their story in full, look above, around and beyond.

#poem #poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #poetrycommunity #nature
November 29, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Fragrant Morning Snow
A silent morning snowfall reveals something unexpected.
One whose strong fragrance announces their presence for all to know.
Let us clear a path unimpeded and allow them to pass!

#poem #poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature #stripedskunk
November 28, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme from @alan678.bsky.social is #MorningLight a bird bathed in morning sunlight.

I'm sharing a #MourningDove I saw here in #Ottawa.
#birds #photography #EastCoastKin
November 28, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Sharing today's #BirdOfTheDay from @robcrank68.bsky.social theme of #HeadShots, any Birds 'Close Up Capture'.

Here is a #BarredOwl I saw back in November 2023

#birds #owls #photography #Ottawa #EastCoastKin
November 27, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Showing Off
A small inlet with swirling water, waves move all directions.
On the cold surface, a daily competition has begun.
A cold battle of body, mind, and spirit for the future.

#poem #poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature #birds #commongoldeneye
November 27, 2025 at 9:05 AM