Among the Robins

Among the wild-eyed robins feeding in a holly bush outside our office window this week we spotted a cedar waxwing. A well-dressed fellow, he perched in sharp contrast to the tatty-looking, larger robins pulling greedily at the red berries. Below his buff-colored shoulders, two white lines, like pinstripes, ran down toward his tail. The pointed tuft atop his head stood crisp and proud.

Winter brings birds close. Those berries, less desirable perhaps than were available when the weather was better, are good enough. For the waxwing and his companions, the robins, they were worth sticking around for despite the faces at the window, looking outward in wonderment.