Tuesday, October 17, 2006

One way of looking at three blackbirds*

I happened to glance up through the kitchen window a while ago as I was assembling toast and coffee, and saw three blackbirds perched in a row along the fence a few feet away. One had its back to me and as it moved the direct sunlight hit its shoulders, which turned a shimmery glossy blue, green, purple and silver.

Three blackbirds in a group is something you don't see much. Also, they usually notice any movement at the kitchen sink and fly away. Today they all just went on teetering there. One had its bright-yellow beak open, also a bit odd. Then I realised the one with the open beak was visibly smaller and fluffier than the other two.

Flying lesson. Must be Spring.



* If you find this title cryptic, go here.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

*assembling* toast and coffee?

Ampersand Duck said...

thanks, that was a wonderful thing to read today. I love the poem.

JahTeh said...

First job in the morning, after feeding the cat, is feeding the birds. This morning was jackpot time with a huge Rosella keeping all the others at bay until he was full. The blackbirds sing better.

Kerryn Goldsworthy said...

You've reminded me that it's time to sling the hanging birdbath under the little back verandah again. The birds get to cool down and drink and muck around, the cats get to watch longingly from the bathroom window with their back paws braced on the basin, and everyone's happy except the person who has to clean up the cat hair.

genevieve said...

Take these broken wings and learn to fly. Thanks for both parts of the post, very good indeed.