Bird Talk

The morning was calm and the water was like a mill pond. A short distance from the shore, a large flock of assorted waterfowl sat happily on the water: buffleheads, harlequin ducks, goldeneyes and a random surf scoter. Then, one by one, heads plunged under and feathery butts popped up briefly before submerging. About a half minute later, one by one, they bobbed up above the surface. And so it went on. Most relaxing to watch. Does wonders for blood pressure,

A seagull and a crow were watching the scene from a perch on the sea wall. From behind they could hear the sounds of their own kind squabbling over the spilled contents of garbage cans: chicken nuggets; greasy fries; ketchup; donuts; pizza; some of it soaked with tossed coffee.

“What are they doing out there?” asked the seagull, looking at the flock on the water.

“They’re feeding,” said the crow, thinking that was a rather silly question for a seagull.

“On what?” said the seagull.

“The coastal aquatic food chain,” said the crow, feeling ever so clever, but still wondering about the seagull.

“How come there’s no fighting and squabbling?”

“There’s probably plenty for everyone,” said the crow.

“Looks like hard work,” said the seagull. “All that diving.”

“We’d better get on it,” said the crow. “I hear the garbage truck coming. That mess won’t be there much longer.”