The dog and I were on the east side of the house, this late afternoon, as I threw the ball for her in the front yard. I had just spread fresh bird seed on the round plastic picnic table near our picket fence and a couple of trees where the birds like to hang out.

As I sat there, watching the dog, I heard a tapping noise. I looked over toward the table and there they were, scads of sparrows, finches, and others. They flew up in a fast scatter when they saw me turn my head and look at them. But as the dog and I carried on and I kept an eye out, they came back.

A flutter here, a fly-by sortie there, and suddenly they were all lined up on the picket fence like wallflowers at a dance. All of them chattering and fluttering their wings for balance,"fluffing up their frocks," then, one or two would make a mad dash, brave souls, to the table and start eating. The *first* couple to dance. Then suddenly they were all on the table dancing an avian fandango with a great tattoo of sound as their little talons gave them purchase. It was nothing as formal as a real fandango, in fact it was rather chaotic and scattered, but of course that is what would keep them safe. They were beautiful little creatures and because of them I enjoyed a spell of peaceful Nature in what has been a very busy time and I am gratefull.