The last day of the year was coming to an end. Fleeting rays of the setting sun performed their last dance around the tree tops. Dusk started to settle over the salt marsh. And most birds were tucked away in their sleeping quarters.
The ‘blue hour’ came. Fully booked dinner cruise boats floated from the bay onto the ocean. But at the darkened northwest corner of the park now closed, activity continued all evening long. Until the last hour of the last day of 2015.
As the midnight hour approached, the moon slept on its big tummy on a misty bed over the bay. The Christmas tree at the local hospital on the opposite shore was brightly lit. Lights were still shining from many windows. For some fellow passengers on this earthly journey, the first night would be greeted in a hospital bed.
And then the ball finally dropped in front of the crowds in the big city. The skies were set alight. Followed by loud kabooms reverberating over the salt marsh.
Star showers fell towards the ocean and the beach. Shapes in bright colors filled the sky.
And if the salt marsh residents had not covered their eyes and ears with their wings, they did see a bird looking right down on them from the skies. A symbol of something we all need. Peace.
The Night Herons and Barn Owls were certainly not the only birds awakened by people’s celebration at this first hour of the first night. But luckily it soon became quiet. The moon wiggled out of its misty bed and shone brightly to light up the first night. Once again, a new year was born.
May 2016 bring us peace and contentment.
