A Sandhill Crane in Moss Landing?

A solitary Sandhill Crane was spotted last week in Moss Landing.  According to the photographer's son, who is very knowledgeable about wild birds, it wasn't supposed to be there, and it probably had a defective GPS.  But the crane was "feeding tranquilly among the rushes with the birders at about 50 yards distance gawking at it."  Could it be that it could no longer hear its flock's calls--the haunting, beautiful honking?

Best wishes in getting reunited and flying back north.

  

The Muffler

衿元に
友のぬくもり
大晦日

Erimoto ni  (around my neck)
Tomo no nukumori (my friend's warmth)
Omisoka (New Year's Eve)

A couple of days before Christmas, my childhood girlfriend asked if I had received a package.  My answer was no.  But the package arrived on New Year's Eve, containing a beautiful COACH cashmere muffler.  She got a salmon pink pattern for me and a matching gray pattern for herself.  She was sad that the gift meant for Christmas didn't arrive in time, but it was a perfect present to welcome the New Year.  

I touched the soft mass, put it against my cheek, and remembered one by one--the mufflers, scarves, and wraps that she sent over the years and how perfectly she was able to arrange some around my neck when she visited me here or when I traveled to Japan--and how she made me feel.     

One woven wrap in particular was in petal pink made of baby cashmere--so soft, subtle, and delicate in both texture and color.  It arrived one spring.  As I stood in front of the mirror and arranged the wrap around my shoulders, I longed to see her, my family, and the cherry blossoms in Japan.

Almost eight years since then, and I welcomed a beautiful New Year.  I am so grateful. 

ありがとう、妙ちゃん。

"Double" Sunrise on Mt. Diablo

Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu (Happy New Year).

Because the cloud was in front of the sun, the sun rose twice.  The sun was bright and looked so close.  There were also the New Year moon and turkeys!  One flew down from the side of the mountain to join the flock.  They were the most colorful wild turkeys I had ever seen.  It was an awesome New Year's Day outing.