A Little Bird Told Me

A Little Bird Told Me

Noel Laflin

12-7-20

You know what has really helped me through this year, other than David’s exquisite cuisine, has been photography.

Even when it did not feel safe to venture out further than the supermarket, there was always the backyard and balcony birds to keep me occupied.

When I moved into this cozy place thirty-seven years ago – right about now – what drew me to the location was the location – Orange, a long-established bird sanctuary. That, and the fact that although this is a condo, it came with a backyard and a balcony overlooking the small yard.

Before a stick of furniture was even moved into place inside, the yard took precedence. Ground was overturned, rocks dug up were laid back down to help with drainage, an acacia and two plum trees were planted, a pond was built, a deck laid outside the bedroom door in order to keep the mud out of the house, bulbs, mint, and ferns were planted – and presto, time did the rest.

Opossums and raccoons showed up - as did rabbits and even a turtle once. Squirrels would make their way here twenty years later.

For thirty years I enjoyed the fruit, fish, and flowers mostly. Then I found an old camera just laying around and gathering dust; I had not really used one since college days. As there were no longer cats or dogs roaming the yard, birds came back in curious numbers, especially to drink from and bathe in the fountains established so long ago. They became my practice subjects.

And so they have sustained me ever since.

Even when I have the best intentions of venturing forth most days, sometimes I never even make it past the front door, as something or other

will steal my attention – as did this little guy resting on a backyard bird of paradise bloom. Then one thing leads to another and presto, the sun has set, as it tends to do earlier and earlier this time of year, and you wait to see what tomorrow brings.

So, whether you venture forth or not, for whatever reason – or not, I wish you all the best as we head pell-mell into Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice, Christmas, and the New Year, despite a world filled with current uncertainty.

But a little bird has told me that there's hope for 2021.

After all, he is looking up.