And then they gathered....

...On the porch, red, black, purple, brown, stark contrast to the white inch of snow.  The wind wildly ruffled their poofy topknots and wing feathers as they ate hungrily.  Standing at the door, after having thrown the birdfood on the deck and filled the hanging feeder, I laughed as they raced around, heads down lunging at each other establishing who was boss and then bigger boss and then a nobody.  The lone Tree Sparrow hugged the door just inches between us gobbling up the big pile of millet.  All the birds ignored him as they challenged each other on the outreaches of the deck not realizing that the scariest place next to the door where the big person always emerged held the greatest treasure.  Today, this is my lesson to ponder, that risk often yields the greatest benefit if I will just go there to that scary place.

Hope everyone has a lovely and safe day out there today especially if you are traveling.....otherwise gather your binoculars and cuppa, place yourself in front of window and watch some nature's tv......