I spent a good part of the morning trying to identify the small birds who are so enthusiastically enjoying our bird feeder. They also really enjoy the bread crumbs and raisins that are spread out along the top of the courtyard wall. I found one bird photo that looked right, called a pink bunting, but then saw that they reside in Tibet. They are the most similar. Then others, called rose finches or scarlet rose finches, that are close but seem to have too much red on them. The brightly colored ones here are really not that bright, but a very nice pinkish red on the breast and head anyway.

The females and young males are brown/grey/tan colors. That is pretty typical of the animal kingdom. It is interesting that humans at this stage of the game, go in the opposite direction and it is generally the males who are more standard in hairstyle and attire. And we females are the ones who are generally more fancified, with nail polish and makeup and hair colors--all of these our fancy feathers and finery. This may just be our era, however.

Some men in the past wore some pretty outrageous finery. I am reminded of the paintings of native warriors with the headdresses and paint. Then there were the Romans and Greeks with their rather lavish hair styles and their togas and fancy helmets. Check this one out! (I can't help wondering when I see this: Whatever were they thinking?) And then there are the Parlimentary wigs and outfits which are also pretty dramatic.

But in either men or women, these are things we put on our bodies, but not our natural differences in coloring, like say if our men had bright blue heads, or green and pink faces, or great striped bodies. Or great manes of golden fur surrounding their heads and shoulders.

Compared to much of the animal kingdom, especially the birds, I think our males got the short end of things.

As for women, we are happy with the things we can do, such as accessorize, wax, bleach, dye, and wear a much more extensive variety of color and pattern in our clothing. Here is Carmen Miranda in all her glory. She may just be the champion accessorizer.

Goodness but this is a wander! From birds to hats to ladies who wear bowls of fruit on their heads. This is no doubt not a good sign. From watching birds to wierd trips into the extremes of accessorizing.

But the birds are still there. They are still eating seeds and have the feeder nearly empty. I suspect they are not thinking about much if anything. It is still cold outside. These birds are taking care of business by making sure they can generate enough body heat to stay alive another day. The sun is still shining through the windows here beside me.

Perhaps this is just a prayer about staying present. The day goes fast. There are only so many of them alloted to each of us. How much of a day do I really inhabit?

I return to the mountain, which is now a sprawling sillouette across the southwestern skyline. In front of it is the snow covered ridge spattered with junipers. Nearer to me is the adobe wall which is nearly cleaned off again by the little rose finches. It surrounds the burnished red slate courtyard with just a little bit of snow banked up against the far wall where the sun cannot reach. The wind is blowing the branches a little and the birds sit on the bare branches, their feathers all fluffed up like small red and brown puff balls, to stay warm.

The last days of 2008. 2008 = 10. 2009 = 11. Will that mean a new beginning?