The evening had cooled following a warm day with a gentle breeze still welcome when brushing a recumbent Keaton on the back lawn. Liquorice lay next to us, stretched out and snoozing still, apparently not having noticed that her session with rake, slicker and brush had ended. A Mountain Lowrie was feasting on a partly ripened tomato, one stolen from our veggie garden! They are birds best described as an extravaganza of color, with the body measuring about 12 inches plus the tail. This was a female, perched atop a tomato stake balancing on one leg while grasping the “egg” tomato in the other taking a mouthful from time to time and chewing her ill-gotten treat with a relish that only the sampling of “forbidden fruit” brings!
Keaton was stretched out on his side, facing almost in the direction of this avian gourmand. He stretched a little further, “walking” with his front feet pushing his front end around curving his back while stretching out his undersides providing me with easier access while allowing himself an apparently better view of this dazzling diner. Keaton held this position as I lazily took my time attending to his rib area before moving on to Keaton’s hind leg. The brushing of Liquorice and Keaton is an unhurried ritual and this evening was no different with my stopping several times watching the utter enjoyment being had as the Mountain Lowrie dined in leisurely contentment. When the young master’s exposed side was complete I crawled along to Keaton’s head end, not an inconsiderable distance to this oversize “rug-rat”! My purpose was to make comment on the Mountain Lowrie we were watching, but upon arrival at my destination I found Keaton’s interest was elsewhere, certainly not on this astral plane, for my boy was sound asleep! I suppose that I should have chased the bird away for stealing our tomatoes, however I enjoyed her feast as much as she did. Besides one reddy/green tomato is a small price to pay for such relaxing entertainment!
Arthur Witten
Liquorice – I’m not allowed to take tomatoes from the vine, yet she is?
Keaton – The bird was a glorious sight, but not as pleasing as the insides of my eyelidszzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZ