Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
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neildbarker.bsky.social
Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
@neildbarker.bsky.social
Sijo poetry inspired by Nature.
neildbarker.ca
Pinned
Mount Tae may be high, it is but a mountain under the sky.
If you climb and not give up, there is no way you can't succeed.
Yet people stay at the base saying the mountain is too high.

태산이 높다하되 하늘아래 뫼이로다
오르고 또 오르면 못오를리 없건만은
사람이 제 아니 오르고 뫼만 높다 하더라

Yang Sa Eon/양사언 (1517-1584)

#poem #sijo #korean
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
Christmas can be a beautiful season, but it can also feel painfully loud when your heart is quiet, tired, or hurting.

If you are alone this Christmas, or struggling in ways others may not see, please know this: you are not failing the season. You are surviving it. And that matters.

#EastCoastKin
December 24, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
@alan678.bsky.social set the #BirdOfTheDay theme today to #contrast and the alt theme to #faceoff

This razorbill picture is one of my favorites and ticks both boxes.

Happy Holidays!
December 24, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
Another of my Northern Hawk-owl shots for @alan678.bsky.social’s #BirdOfTheDay alternative theme #faceoff
#birds #photography #nature #wildlife #Finland
December 24, 2025 at 7:44 AM
The #BirdOfTheDay theme today from @alan678.bsky.social is #contrast birds that stand out against their background. I am sharing this #GreatEgret. #birds #photography #Ottawa #Canada #EastCoastKin
December 24, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
winter's monster
dares you to go outside
on cold mornings

#thingstowriteabout (monster)
#haiku

🥶❄️
December 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
From @robcrank68.bsky.social - today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #SideProfiles any 'Birds Side Profile'. I am sharing a #PileatedWoodpecker I saw last Winter here in #Ottawa. #birds #photography #Canada
December 23, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
Good morning

#BirdOfTheDay is all #AboutTheKids any bird chicks or juveniles, and the Alternative is #Gulls.

I've gone with Coots, Goslings, Black-headed Gull & Blue Tit youngsters.

My Replies/Reposts be come later

#birds #photography #EastCoastKin #naturephotography @rspb.bsky.social #ukbirding
December 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
December 21, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
Good morning, the dog, in his wisdom has decided that 4am is the new 6am. 🙄 Saw these guys yesterday on our walk. Curlews. One is obviously an extrovert and the other is an introvert. Which are you? Obviously I’m an introvert. 😁 #Stunday #photography #birds #EastCoastKin
December 21, 2025 at 5:01 AM
From @alan678.bsky.social the #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #Quietmoments peaceful captures of birds. I am sharing this #EasternScreechOwl I saw dozing peacefully in their tree. #birds #owls #Ottawa #Canada #photography #EastCoastKin
December 20, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Return of a Legend
Returning to places your forebearers have been in the past.
A new experience connected to the past in some way.
A Way that is unnamed and unexplained, yet so familiar.

#poem #poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature #birds #carolinawren
December 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme from @robcrank68.bsky.social is #LongLegsAndNeck any birds with both items listed.

I am sharing a #GreatBlueHeron from this past Summer I saw here in #Ottawa. #birds #herons #photography #EastCoastKin
December 19, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
red oak branches spiral --
perfect ladder for climbing
but I haven't ...yet

#thingstowriteabout (ladder)
#haiku #senryu
December 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
I don’t know who sets these #BirdOfTheDay themes but they are geniuses and I’m told very handsome. 🤥😂 #QuietObservers #birds #photography #EastCoastKin
December 18, 2025 at 8:39 AM
The #BirdOfTheDay theme today from @alan678.bsky.social is #QuietObservers single birds observing their surroundings. I am sharing this female #SnowyOwl I saw December 2024. She was perched up high watching the world around her #birds #owls #photography #EastCoastKin #Ottawa #Canada
December 18, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Foggy Apparitions
A time of changing seasons, transitioning from cold to warmth.
Apparitions move about, having travelled from lands afar.
All settling into the approaching season with questions.

#poem #poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #Canadagoose #ringbilledgull
December 18, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
Time for the wading birds to hit the highlights on #WaderWednesday, so i've chosen a Great Egret, Jack Snipe, Water Rail & Glossy Ibis from Summer Leys Nature Reserve.

#birds #photography #EastCoastKin #naturephotography #ukbirding #birdphotography @wildlifebcn.org @rspb.bsky.social #BirdLife
December 17, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
It's time for #WrensDay where the little lads & lasses pop into the light, so they can gather enough food for 'Brunch'.
In the line up we have Willie & Wendy Wren from RSPB Old Moor in November.

#birds #photography #EastCoastKin #naturephotography #ukbirding #birdphotography @rspb.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme from @robcrank68.bsky.social is #Groups, groups of 4 or more birds (can be different species).

I've gone with a motley group of #AmericanCrows, a #CommonRaven and a #BaldEagle sharing a meal on the #Ottawa River here in #Canada. #birds #photography #EastCoastKin
December 17, 2025 at 10:25 AM
On the Ice at Sunrise
The sunrise reveals a change in season, shrinking winter ice.
On the ice, a meeting awaits a decision from Nature.
Conflict or connection - or a choice that transcends all around?

#poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature #birds #canadagoose
December 17, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
#BirdOfTheDay: I don't usually shoot groups so let's go with closeups of some extremely floofed out #Pigeons I shot recently

-- Burnaby Lake Regional Park, December 2025

#photography #birds
December 17, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
Good morning. @robcrank68.bsky.social has announced today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Groups, groups of 4 or more birds.
The Alt is #Pigeons I’m going with Red Knots in non breeding plumage, most on one leg, less heat loss means the bird uses less energy to stay warm. #birds #photo #EastCoastKin
December 17, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
Good morning friends

It's time for today's #BirdOfTheDay theme which is #Groups, groups of 4 or more birds (can be different species).
The Alternative theme is #Pigeons

I've gone with Cormorants, Starlings, Lapwings with Gulls & Pigeon from various venues.

#birds #photography #EastCoastKin
December 17, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Reposted by Neil Barker 🐦‍⬛
From earlier this year. The beautiful #Birds at #SuffolkOwls With their highly acclaimed 😉 version of:
🎶 🎤 Mr Neil Diamond 🎤🎶📷🌱
🎶💃🏻🦉’Sweet Caroline’ 🪶🕺🏻🎶..
#Owls #Smile #Photography #Nature #ECK
December 16, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Nature’s an Artist
A cool bright morning, Nature’s canvas of beauty and living.
A flock of winged creatures, carefully picks at the offerings.
A single question: what Artist has created all of this?

#poetry #sijo #skypoets #blueskypoets #poetsofbluesky #blueskypoetry #nature #birds #cedarwaxwing
December 16, 2025 at 10:21 AM