BIRDS' DEDUCTIONS

Altho' I don't go to the park on Sundays, these are actual accounts from other days. I thought it would be a good idea to relate something that really happened since yesterday's post was birthed from fiction.

Perhaps the most sought-after bird is the vivid blue Kawasemi, which has won numerous photography awards thus appeared on many calendars. It's smaller than the sparrow and a fast-flier too, so it's hard to get a clear shot of.

But there's another reason I like the Kawasemi. I have seen many young mothers with their toddlers finding the elusive bird perching on a branch nearby and enjoying a time of glee together. Older, experienced caretakers might scold the younger generation mercilessly that they can do nothing right...but I'm sure these times in the park renew their confidence in themselves--they can make their children happy after all!

Broken Alabaster Jar

   Another bird I saw the mother-child duo looking at together was the beautiful egret. I remember coming to the park one afternoon when I saw a heron flying towards the Moto Arakawa River and called to it.

"Eida, you going home? I just came!"

I really didn't think she heard me. But several minutes later, a heron came to Step Creek--it was Eida!

I still don't think she heard me. She might've seen something, then had it confirmed when she heard  another critter talking about a human who came to the park. Birds can deduce things, are smarter than most humans give them credit for. Their "smarts" just work in different ways.

Incidentally, these are pictures drawn in the spring, while it was still warm. These birds don't show themselves at the park during the cold months!