One of the outer circles of

On Saturday, I was lingering quietly by a seep of running water in Black Rock Canyon, waiting for gray, black and gold finches, black and gold warblers, foppishly crested quail and shy mourning doves to recover from the alarm of my approach. As I waited, they returned, calling to each other, landing on wet sand to drink.

Today, I'm not outside, not with wildlife, not in paradise.