Wednesdays in the park with Karen

Mockingbirds are notoriously shy...or at least the ones in my neighborhood, preferring high perches where they astound with their mimicry. Yesterday though I was lucky to keep quiet company with one in the back yard...on the ground.

I was cooling down on a chaise after some industrious traipsing around and heavy lifting. I'd spotted her as I schlepped back and forth hauling soil, surprised that she hadn't spooked and flown away. Maybe she was a younger bird with fewer humans-to-be-avoided hang-ups. Anyway, I stayed as still as possible as she hopped ever closer...and closer...doing what I now know is "wing-flashing" either to flush out insects or to warn me off. Regardless, she bounced even closer (now minus wing-flash) onto a planter, and ultimately onto the back of a chair. She stopped there -- no more than five feet away and the most pleasurable social distancing I've experienced in months. What a treat, a close-up side view and chance to check her out. She didn't stay long...puffed out her breast feathers then slowly...slowly...and with the utmost grace and gentility released a most tidy dropping onto the chair. Then picked herself up and flew back to the ground for more foraging.

While I'd created a place to rest, I hadn't intended it as a rest stop!I couldn't help wondering if she was sending me a sly message.

Nonetheless, it pleased me to continue watching birds of many stripes enjoying and making use of the space...generously sharing it with me. I tend not to be still out there, always planting, pruning, pulling something. Instead I was rewarded when I simply stopped, paid attention, and basically stayed within bounds in what is inherently the domain of my feathered and furry coinhabitants. (Note: I'm referring to wildlife.)

Neither exotic or rare, a modestly gray bird managed to teach this 2-legged know-it-all a thing or two: stop running, play nicely with others, and share the playground. If not, you know what will happen. Yep, **** happens.