Over placid waters
of late summer,

brown pelicans
glide effortlessly

just above the surface
then abruptly rise,

and spotting their quarry
plunge like fierce arrows

shot from the heavens
to capture their prey.

Standing on Harford Pier
we watch their show

amused and amazed
by their grace,

their swiftness,
their accidental nonchalance.

A steel-blue day greets us,
as well as a bustle of birds,

a sampling of seals,
a dalliance of dolphins,

and a fortuitous sighting
of Humpback whales

cruising the harbor,
tails slapping,

feeding in the plentiful waters
of San Luis Bay

before heading south again
on migration to Mexico.

Words (c) 2012 Mark Lloyd Richardson
Photos (c) 2012 Dallis Day Richardson