The Duck Crossing

Where have the ducks gone?

A large yellow sign that reads duck crossing stands on the edge of a busy road near Rochester, N.Y.  It is a phenomenon to watch.  At any given time several families of geese can decide to stroll to the other side.  Several minutes can go by before the last goose has safely crossed.   They bring lines of cars to a standing halt.  No one honks a horn, no one yells, no one pushes forward,  no one interrupts the family of geese.  The drivers in their cars have slowed down and enjoyed the parade.

Pigeon or Dove

dove©BarbaraGurryRowell

I recently read it is the 100 year anniversary of the extinction of the messenger pigeon, the last being Martha who died in 1914. I am usually annoyed by the pigeons or doves that hang out in groups.  It is hard to tell who is who.  They leave white gobs on my side-walk and coooooooooo, which wears on my patience.   However,  finding more out about Martha led me to re-evaluate my opinion.      Today I stopped to look closer and listen differently to her distant relatives.