Today a friend and I made a pilgrimage out to Limantour. It was a great day to walk the beach, talk, get out in Mother Nature in between Thanksgiving and Advent. There were so many birds there, mostly all standing on one leg. We noticed that they also hopped along on one leg, although they could also run on both legs. As soon as we made our "quiet" approach, wings were flapping and the whole group had processed down the beach to the next resting spot, until we came along again and forced them to move.
It was also a great day to simply stand and watch these various winged creatures take protection in one another. The ones at the tail end of the flock would be the first to move as we moved, and when more than one or two moved, that was a sign to go. And go they did. How secure they all must feel, knowing that without fail, their fellows will warn them when to get up and go. Although we might think immediately "herd mentality", it also made me think about the times I have left someone high and dry, about the times I have turned around and seen no one with me. It's an uncomfortable feeling when it happens. And so is the comforting flapping of all the wings when it is time to go.
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