Pip Coburn and his circle have a practice of sharing "anti pet peeves" - those little things that bring a smile and a bit of happiness. It's a good practice these days. I had one today and sent it to him and Om Malik. Om suggested I post it. Feel free to add your own reason to smile in the comment section.
We live next to a large piece of undeveloped swampland. It’s full of deer paths and a mixture of heavily wooded and open areas. For about seventeen years I’ve taken a ninety minute walk around noon when I’m working from home. Today is worth writing about - my vulture returned!
About six years ago a female turkey vulture began to accompany me. She’d wait on a telephone pole where the woods cleared or sometimes she’d spiral down from the sky. For nearly a kilometer I’d walk through a large open area and she’d follow along, making short flights from telephone pole to telephone pole. . Then I’d disappear into a heavily wooded around for about thirty minutes before coming back to the clearing. She’d be waiting and together we’d make our way through the open space - regular partners for nearly four seasons.
Then nothing…
I kept looking and even got in touch with the Raptor Trust in case they had taken in an injured vulture, but after a month assumed she had left the area. Hopefully by her own choice.
Today - mirabile dictu - she reappeared. She only followed me one way, but it was so nice to see an old friend.
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