Migration

Harriett, our magnificent bird of prey, embarked on a remarkable journey. From the sun-kissed shores of Venezuela, she soared across vast distances, her wings slicing through the warm currents of the Caribbean. Her destination? The familiar landscapes of her home. Home. Home to The Doctor and her nest on the east bank, North River, Carteret County, North Carolina.

Migration, a perilous endeavor for many creatures, held no fear for Harriett. She had honed her instincts over countless seasons, learning the secrets of wind patterns, celestial navigation, and the ebb and flow of the Earth’s magnetic fields. Her keen eyes scanned the horizon, mapping out invisible highways in the sky.

As she crossed borders and boundaries, Harriett encountered challenges. Storms brewed, threatening to buffet her off course. Hungry predators eyed her from below, hoping for an easy meal. Yet, she pressed on, driven by an ancient calling—the whisper of her lineage urging her toward distant shores.

But Harriett was no stranger to adversity. She had witnessed the changing tides of the world—the encroachment of human settlements, the pollution of her once-pristine waters. And so, she navigated not only the physical obstacles but also the intangible ones—the loss of habitat, the struggle for survival.

Her journey was a testament to resilience—a feathered odyssey that defied borders and spoke of interconnectedness. Harriett carried with her the stories of countless others—the silent flocks, the tireless travelers, the winged wanderers seeking refuge.

And as she alighted upon her perch, her talons gripping the platform the Doctor built, Harriett knew she had evaded the perils of migration. She had returned, a symbol of endurance and strength..

Hello Doctor

Daydreaming at the kitchen counter, the Doctor haphazardly gazed at Old North River’s receding tide, hoping his mood would not follow.

Unperceived by said Doctor, two friendly ethereal affirmations, truth and nature, circled the room above him. They were jovial and anxious to enter the Doctor’s psych.

Two good willed affirmations

The Doctor is about to experience them both, first like a child comprehending simple mathematics and then like Plato’s Analogy of the Cave.

Harriett Breaks the Silence 

“Hello Doctor”.  The telepathy passed through the ether at the speed of light.

Like a rogue ocean wave, unexpected and overwhelming, this telepathic thought crashed into the Doctor’s brain, supersaturating and overflowing its meager capacity, but washing it in happiness.

Harriett’s telepathy was strong and clear. Crystal clear, distinct and direct, as if she had something important to say.

“Oh!” The Doctor vocalized before realizing he was not in transference mode.

Overly excited, he spun to look at Harriett’s platform.

In the process he knocked his sardine and anchovy sandwich onto the floor.

Marley was on it in a flash, but on further inspection, let it lay, neglecting his floor cleaning responsibilities.

But, Harriett’s platform was empty.

Then;

“Over here,” entered his brain like a soft laser beam.

The Doctor spun again.   And there was she.

Harriett, his beloved, home. Home!

Tears welled forth.

Harriett

Fish in talon, she stood confidently, sleek and trim, as beautiful as ever, pulling at the Doctor’s heart strings like never before.

Discombobulated, the Doctor had to control-alt-delete to regain his composure.

“Yes, hello,” the Doctor managed a broken, child-like telepathic response.

Where?

Has anyone seen Mary Jane today?

Mary Jane still here

Zugunruhe

Mary Jane

Visiting the Purple Martin House

A Visitor

Four juveniles on the nest. Mary Anne is the best fisherperson. Plus she is Woke. And she does not share.

Juvenile in flight

Trying really hard

Mary Jane, third hatchling, learning to fly.

“Hey! Wait for me.

Exhilaration

Joe lll makes it to the perch.