Photo: Wikipedia
James and I have been starting our morning walk each day earlier and earlier in an attempt to beat the intense heat and humidity before it becomes unbearable. The earlier the morning walk, the better, from many perspectives. Aside from the weather, wildlife is far more abundant in the wee hours of the morning.
On our morning walk today, James and I spotted a beautiful Indigo Bunting. Not at a distance up on a tree branch. No, this striking species was just about a foot in from the roadside, sitting in the cool, lush greenery. It just sat there, not moving. James and I stopped and quietly observed this rare bird, pausing in the shaded area. James sat motionless, both of us mesmerized. I hadn’t seen an Indigo Bunting in years. They are seen only occasionally here in western Massachusetts. In the winter months, they’re off to southeast Texas and Florida, down to Central America and the West Indies. After 2-3 minutes, off it flew, up far into the treetops, and off James and I went to continue our peaceful morning walk together.