Urban druid.

There's this little gravel area in the park I've started using to feed the pigeons - tossing out some seed a little closer, some a little farther, amusing myself at the fluid dynamics of pigeon flocks. They recognized me when I arrived today, walking fast when I just stood there and flying over when I started with the seeds.

They'd go over where the seeds were, and I conducted them with more amusement than grace. A little farther away, a little closer, farther again, trying to make sure all the birds got a chance to eat. Then I tried feeding them right by my feet by holding my arm out, opening my hand, and letting the seeds fall.

As soon as my hand was open, a pigeon landed on my arm.

I'm not making this up. My arm was out, and it landed on it.

I said, "Hello," not knowing what else to say.

And not knowing what else to do, I held the seed container in my other hand up to the pigeon for it to eat right from the source.

I experimented with getting it to follow the cup to my shoulder when my arm started to get tired, which worked. I experimented with putting seed in my closed fist, leading it to my shoulder, and opening my hand to get a second pigeon on my arm, which worked until the first pigeon got territorial and incited a beak-to-beak fight to shove the second pigeon off my arm.

Eventually, I ran out of seeds and had to leave, getting back to my apartment and putting in a little more work for the day.

And doing a slightly lighter workout tonight, because boy, is my arm tired.