Birds of a Feather

Okay, so it’s no longer the May River we see every day butwe do enjoy the benefits of a large lagoon and its inhabitants, right in ourbackyard. 

The huge alligator who, we’re told, is too old to care aboutanything but a warm bank upon which to sprawl and soak up sun. 

And the birds.  Themany, many birds who also appreciate the sunshine, the trees and the fish inthe lagoon. 

Mostly, they’re wading birds: ibis, wood stork andheron.  They flock together, apparentlymindless of their slight differences. Sometimes as many as 70 of them gather a mere few feet from our windows. 

A few days ago, we remarked on their presence.  Or, more to the point, their absence.  It seems that they also visit other, perhapssunnier and larger, lagoons.  They gowhere the wind and sun take them.  As itsuits them.  Where the pickings may bebetter.  The fish tastier.  Never once stopping to think of those whomight miss them.  Loyalty is not one oftheir attributes.

They will beback.  We just don’t know when.

They are, it would seem, a “fickle flock.”

Try saying that five times fast after two glasses of wine and a bowl of pistachios.