It must be getting cold up north. This morning I looked out at the lake and it was covered with birds. Hundreds of them, here on a little rest stop during their flight south. Richard, Ginger and I pulled up a chair on the patio and watched.
Beautiful white egrets lined the banks. They spaced themselves at about 10 foot intervals circling the lake. I guess the trip had been long and they needed some space from each other. The geese swam in the lake for a while and then gathered on the opposite shore. They flocked together like they were conducting a meeting. The cormourants are the funniest. They swim with only their long necks sticking out of the water. In an instant they disappear, diving below to look for fish only to pop up again several feet away.
"Hey, look at that guy. he walks like me," says Richard.
"Like he's old," I added. It's a big white bird with a long beak, white feathers tipped in black, long black legs and bright orange feet. They slowly lumber across the bank hunched over like little old men.
For a while the birds frolic and splash and squawk. The noise is so loud Richard and I are yelling to hear each other talk. And then suddenly all is quiet. Birds of all colors, shapes and sizes are sprawled out across the yard and around the lake. It's nap time.
Ginger barks. "No Ginger. They're sleeping. Don't wake them." She looks at me titling her head to one side trying to understand. "They've had a long journey. They need to rest." She finds a spot and curls up to enjoy the cool breeze.
But as soon as they wake, the activity starts again and Ginger intently watches through the screen. Her old friends have come to visit.
It's winter in Florida. Let the wildlife show begin.
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