[EBB Sightings] the lone bandtail

I, and others, have been remarking upon the goodly
numbers of bandtailed pigeons in the BA this spring.
After observing large flocks for several weeks at
Huckleberry Preserve, the numbers dwindled to two
birds heard several days ago. Yesterday, I heard the
windbeats (noisy even as a singleton) of a lone
pigeon. I was curious as to why it was still around,
and the answer was shortly forthcoming. I observed the
bird perched above me in a madrone. As I watched, I
noticed that he was doing open-mouthed breathing. Not
a good sign. Then, I saw him sneeze. By the time he
let loose from the other end, I was thinking perhaps
it was time for me to move on along the trail.
Although there are any number of reasons that a bird
can be in respiratory distress, I couldn't help but
think about the Chronicle article from that very
morning about the bird flu NOT traveling with
migrating birds from Africa to Europe. Just my luck, I
thought, it skipped Europe and hit Huck! The perils of
an active imagination...

Now I wonder if that second bird merely abandoned his
companion, or died first? Every life has its beauty
and pathos, whether feathered, furred or furless.

Debbie Viess
Oakland