Pillowy Feathers

Today I got the front view of the Kereru when it was preening high in the poplar tree.  There were two of them sitting on their own branches and the extras are also this bird.  After half an hour of pointing my lens upwards my arms were getting tired.  They are still rather jelly like.  There was also sunshine so the colours on the feathers are more iridescent.  I put in the extras because as a collage you couldn't see the detail.  The Kereru is now protected but in former times the Maori used those beautiful feathers in woven cloaks and the birds were a source of food.  I am slightly obsessed  with recording these birds while I can.
While I was outside there were three or more sonic booms.  I knew it wasn't the noise of a rifle, or a heavy truck so thought maybe a farmer is blasting something.  When I came inside the radio announced a  meteor had been seen over the lower North Island.  There is always something to surprise us.  

Up Where We Belong   Sung by Jennifer Warnes/ Joe Cocker

Who knows what tomorrow brings
In a world few hearts survive
All I know is the way I feel
When it's real, I keep it alive
The road is long
There are mountains in our way
But we climb a step every day
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world below
Up where the clear winds blow . . .