Blk-Crwn NT Heron

It happened so fast, you almost missed him. A bird—bigger than any bird should be—stood in the middle of the road, its tiny legs halting traffic as though it owned the night. You barely stopped in time, your headlights illuminating its feathers, shimmering in shades of blue and grey. Not a jay, not a titmouse, but something... else. The tuft of feathers atop its head gave it an almost regal air. And those eyes—fiery red, fixed on you with a startling intensity. You rolled down your window, your voice hesitant but curious. “Hello?” The bird stopped. It turned. It looked at you. Not just the way animals sometimes do, but as if it understood every word. It cocked its head, and for a moment, you swore it might answer. The blaring of another car’s horn startled you back to reality. You sighed, reluctant to leave. “Be careful,” you said softly, edging your car forward. As you drove away, the bird leapt into the air, its wings spreading wide as it soared over your car and vanished into the shadows of a nearby tree. Your heart sank. But then, you couldn’t help yourself. You called out, “You can follow me home if you want to.” And maybe it did.