I found
the best
guy
in the
world
to be
my
kids'
Dad.
From the
day
they
were born
to
today
he
has
loved
them...
fed
them...
warmed
them
when
they
were
cold...
He
has
played
with
them...
and
walked
them...
and
carried
them.
He
taught
them
to
garden...
to
blow
bubbles...
to
read...
and
to
swim.
Sometimes
he
was
scary...
Sometimes
he
was
brave...
But
always...
he
has
been...
the
best
Dad...
a
kitty
ever
had!
- Go to
the cemetery
said Theron.
- There
you will find
an eagle's nest
ready to
hatch.
So I check out
of my
St Pete hotel...
...and jump
in my car
reflecting
the Florida clouds.
It's time
to go
home!
But first
I'll stop
at...
The cemetery.
Plastic blooms
scatter
on dry grass.
Artificial
mimics
of prairie...
A lone
photographer
waits
among
the tombstones.
Jim.
High up
in a pine tree...
...waits a nest.
The eagles
are spooked...
....by the
helicopter
thupping
overhead.
(We've had a
police shooting
in St Pete today).
Jim and I wait...
Under pines
and palms
we wait...
We exchange
photo stories...
..and
we
wait...
One and a half
hours
we wait...
Finally
we see
Papa Eagle
fly in...
Mama Eagle
pops up her head.
She's been waiting, too.
- You watch
the kids,
she says...
- I'm taking
a break!
She flies
to a
nearby snag....
...to preen
and ruffle
her feathers.
Other
photographers
appear
from nowhere...
...clicking
away
like mad!
Look!
That's Theron!
The guy
who told me
about this place!
Small world, yes?
The helicopter
annoys her...
And
she's got
to check
on the kids...
So she
soars
away...
so
majestic...
...and we
gather
like kids
to compare
our pics!
Time to go...
you know,
promises to keep
and all....
But I do
make a swing
by Ft Desoto...
...to say
good-bye...
I catch
them
bathing...
Shy,
they wrap
wings around
like bath towels...
...and they
say
good-bye...
...for now...
(they know
I'll be back)
My last Florida bird
a little gray flit.
I don't know
his name.
I drop off
my Prius...
Hertz wins
my green award
with recycling
and hybrids.
And Marriott
gets kudos...
for their
green hotel
program...
I fly early
the next
morning...
In the blink
of an eye...
I'm back
in Indy...
waiting for
luggage...
driving
in snow....
...stuck
in my own
driveway!
I'm so happy
to see
husband
and kitty!
...and
puppies!
He never
missed me.
It's nice
to be home.
But still
I miss...
...waiting
for eagles.
