Wee Friends

We live close to Kensington Metro Park in Michigan.  There is a trail by the nature center where over the years the birds have grown accustomed to being hand fed.  It is magical to say the least.  I think of St. Francis of Assisi and the beautiful photos of him surrounded by birds.  He is known as the patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment and is quoted as having said,  “If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”  There is a story told of him that goes like this: "It is said that, one day, while Francis was traveling with some companions, they happened upon a place in the road where birds filled the trees on either side. Francis told his companions to "wait for me while I go to preach to my sisters the birds." The birds surrounded him, intrigued by the power of his voice, and not one of them flew away. He is often portrayed with a bird, typically in his hand."

And so it is at Kensington.  The birds line the trees on either side and are delighted to see you hold out your hand to feed them.