Birds of the Midwest is a collection of poems inspired by the author's native habitat, the Midwestern United States. Based on careful observation of the natural world, the poems reflect recurring themes of liminal space and transition. Topics include the changing seasons, the water's edge, and bird migration. The poet's search for truth grows naturally from her detailed studies of plovers, owls, warblers, robins and their human companions. With sly humor and insight, these poems soar toward the eternal, singing a hymn of wonder. Calm and thoughtful, this book offers the solace of a walk in the woods on a June morning with a friend. Recommended for bird lovers, as well as for those who wouldn't know a finch from a falcon. The reader will experience their own interconnectedness with nature in new ways.
Downes, Jane Hufford: - Hufford Downes has enjoyed writing poetry since the age of six. After a career as anarchitectural writer and editor and a freelance writer, she began writing poetry seriously.Publishing credits include poetry, essays, and fiction, as well as articles for magazines andnewspapers, She also enjoys leading poetry and writing workshops. She studied CreativeWriting at the University of Toledo and currently studies poetry at The Loft Literary Center inMinneapolis. Previous poetry collections include What I Assume and Notes Between Friends.While writing is a lifelong passion, birding is a relatively new Interest. Seven years ago, Hufford Downes started using a wheelchair. Besides the obvious challenges, it opened up awhole new world. Hitting the trails in her wheelchair, she traveled more slowly, looked up, andnoticed birds, She was soon an obsessed birder.The poet's work has appeared in journals and anthologies, and won local and nationalawards. In 2021, Hufford Downes was awarded first place for narrative poetry from theSouthern Minnesota Poets Society. She was awarded first place for the Florence HynesWillette Award for Humor in Poetry (2019) and placed first in South MN Poets Society contestfor Narrative Poetry (2020) Her first published poem appeared in Good HousekeepingMagazine, Jane was awarded the Grand Prize for Ekphrasis Poetry by The Toledo ArtsCommission. Winning first prize in a poetry contest for Quilt World Magazine led to theassignment of writing a poem about quilting in every issue of the magazine for over fiveyears. The poet received awards from the League of Minnesota Poets in each of the last sixyears.When not writing or birding, Hufford Downes enjoys jazz and symphonic music, especiallyconcerts in Twin Cities parks, where music is often accompanied by birdsong. An avid reader, she is active in community writing and literacy activities, including volunteering as a tutor in anAdult ESL/GED program. Concerned about climate change, she is active in local water qualityinitiatives and other ecological action. Her family includes her husband of 45 years, adaughter and son-in-law, and four of the most exceptional grandchildren on the planet.Hufford Downes has lived in Ohio and Michigan, and currently calls Hopkins, Minnesotahome. She enjoys birding throughout the Midwest. Her favorite birding spots include HawkRidge in Duluth, Elm Creek Nature Preserve and other parks in the Three Rivers ParkDistrict, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Old Cedar Avenue Bridge Park, the MississippiRiver Watershed, the Minnesota River Watershed, the Maumee River Watershed, MageeMarsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, especially during "The BiggestWeek in American Birding." She is a big fan of the highly accessible regional trail system inthe Twin Cities Metro area.
