Right on cue

      One of the reasons we chose the condo we have was the view of a large apple orchard, which was in its full-bloom glory at the time we were house hunting.   One year after we moved in all the trees were torn out and we were certain the orchard would soon give way to another condo.  To our delighted surprise, new apple trees were planted in amazingly symmetrical rows and we have watched them grow over the past couple of years.
     Along with the trees have come the birds, feeding, perching, flying --often what seems to be hundreds of them, swooping in tight formations, or scattering in all directions.  Always a treat to watch.  Unlike my son-in-law Tom, who can tell you what kind of bird it is even without his spotting scope, the only two birds I can recognize on sight are the ever-present sparrows and the occasional robin.
     Which leads me to this morning ---
     I looked out the window and what did I see?  A very large robin, sitting on the railing not four feet away. She (all robins are female in my book) looked right at me, cocking her head and giving me that sideways glance that birds have to do. We looked at each other for several moments; I said "Good morning, Robin Red Breast" and, right on cue, she hopped onto a shrub inches from my face.  As I watched, she performed a delicate balancing act on one skinny branch and began eating the dried berries within her reach. Had there not been the window between us I could have extended my hand and touched her.  Fascinating!
     I must have stood there watching her for three or four minutes, reluctant to move a muscle for fear she would take flight.  But moments like this are best shared, so I slowly backed away and went to get Shirley.
     Alas, when we got back to the window the robin had flown away; the show was over.
     But talk about great timing!  Today is the first day of Spring.  That robin was right on cue!

Stay tuned.