I moved to Kansas about six years ago. Relocating from California, I must say, I hated it here at first, I mean really truly.
The weather is a major change! But aside from just getting used to the humidity, (and snow!) The first summer was horrible! Then came the chill, winter. The snow did look pretty. But only for a second. Then somehow something changed. I am now so thrilled each and every day! I just love experiencing the differences of the seasons, nature, and being outdoors.
Even when I look up and see just how really blue the sky is!
I am totally amazed how the clouds look, and move above, changing constantly! Especially at this time of year. I enjoy seeing the birds, the bees, and all the wonderful different species of trees and wildflowers.
I took up gardening. Can you believe that I actually have a green thumb? I never would have known that.
Well anyway, a few weeks ago my 25 year old son visited. We had the loveliest time just kicking back. Sitting in the yard, it was a beautiful evening.
It was not dark yet, but the sun was starting to going down. He turned to me and asked, "Why do you have a bird bath that is so close to where you sit out here?" Then he kind of chuckled as if I were slightly foolish.
I smiled back while motioning above us, as some sparrows flitted over us,while fat robins were going from tree to tree. We listened as sweet chirping sounds seemed to come from everywhere.
Then behind us, a soft familiar coo. I spoke quietly, telling him "I love to sit out here every evening.There are so many different kinds of birds to see and hear, birds I had never seen in California!"
He smiled as he answered, "Mom, that's a pigeon I hear." I replied, "Oh no, Steve, that's a mourning dove."
"No way! Mom I know a pigeon when I hear one!"
Then from behind us, a pair of doves landed to the side of where we were,about 12 feet away. One stayed back, cooing as the other seemed to hop landing on the wood rail, within 10 inches of the birdbath and 2 to 3 feet of us.
Suddenly a robin dropped seemingly from nowhere, at the very moment
same instant that the dove chose to hop into our bird bath.
A bit startled, to say the least, his eyes wide but with the sense to remain silent, he watched.
The dove that stayed back, hopped closer.
But the dove who had arrived first, was polite. It nicely hopped back to the rail as the robin, who appeared quite surprised, perhaps it hadn't even noticed anything but the cool water.
This all happening so fast, but each bird seemed to take it in stride. The dove graciously, allowed the robin to go ahead and even hopped off the rail,politely waiting about 3 feet away. The two doves coo'd back and forth, as if confirming all was well.
Swooshing about,and then very quickly dunking itself, the fat robin was splashing water and having seemingly a wonderful time!
It also cared nothing that my son and myself were watching. Then in an instant, it jumped up, then shook itself a bit while ruffling wings and off it flew.
Both of us broke our silence, by laughing aloud and we were about to speak when we remembered the dove."Shhh..."
Shyly, the peaceful dove was back on the rail again. It hesitated but then took a slight hop into the bird bath, taking just a drink from it, it then jumped out and in a leap both doves seem to take off in perfect timing, they met in air, about 30 feet above. We observed their flight for a few seconds until our view became obstructed by the branches of a nearby tree.
Labels: Helium, online, poetry, vacation, writing |
