coffee with the birds (a different path)
This morning, I needed to be out of the house for a bit. I mentally fumbled through potential "landing" spaces and settled on a local coffee shop.
As I prepared to leave home, I became less enthusiastic about my decision. I'd already made coffee for my wife and was sneaking a cup for myself. Settling into the shop (lovely as it may be) would mean spending money on a drink I didn't really want, and definitely didn't need.
So, I poured my coffee into a to-go cup, grabbed my backpack, and headed to a local park. What a beautiful morning! Weekend rains had cleansed the city air, leaving blue skies, a gentle breeze, and sweatshirt weather. While I love coffee shops and their buzz of conversation and activity, this morning I enjoyed fresh air and the frenzied chatter of birds.
In less than thirty minutes I had seen Gold Finches, a Vermillion Flycatcher, a Ruby Crowned Kinglet, a Verdin and an Anna's Hummingbird.
I was keeping impressive company!
This didn't include a number of other birds and a leaf blower (I was still in the city after all) that were heard but remained unseen.
Don't worry about the little coffee shop. I'll return. But, for today, I was happy to have chosen a different path.