Relocation. James Dean takes it hard.
He stood in that mirror-practiced slouchy pose.
That “cool” one: weight on one leg. Angled hip and shoulder.
(You can’t help peaking through the blinds to see who’s buying into the neighborhood.)
Young. A few bristles beginning to replace the childish fuzz.
Working so hard to project the image. Close to being a caricature.
Tough guy so image necessary if you’re new in town. (1955.James Dean.Studio pub. photo”Giant”/US PD: pub.date/cr not renewed/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Harried mom taking no notice. Too busy looking at this and that. Checking off the list.
Green areas. Trees. Water feature. Fresh breezes. Big skies without towering buildings.
Fast food places nearby. Starbuck’s a short walk. Marina and places to explore.
That should interest him?
She gives him another glance. Tries to elicit input.
He only shrugs as he stares the opposite direction.
The “whatever” response.
Exasperated, she shakes herself and seems to give up. Ungrateful little one.
Even when she flipped him that nice piece of shrimp earlier, he refused to acknowledge her.
Well, OK Mr-I’m-all-grown-up -and-looking-for-chicks, fly or stay or make your own way.
And off she flew. There were other waters to wade.
The youngster tilted his beak. Watched her leave.
He didn’t seem to worry in the least. He knew. She’d return.
He’d sink his head between his shoulders. Shrink small onto spindly legs.
Look tiny.
And pathetically cry.
But not now.
Now, there were some other waterbirds strutting on the sand along the canal.
Some about his age.
Coming this way.
They would notice him soon.
Now where was that shrimp tidbit his mom dropped?
That would be seen as a fine offering by a worthy provider!
Teenagers. Strange birds, indeed.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
There he is on the steps. Still looking cool. ©
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Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
I really enjoyed reading this.
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Glad you got a giggle. It was such a funny scene. The mom trying so hard to please her child until she’d just had enough. Then he just sunk down into himself. So many little stories going on we never see? Thanks for wandering over.
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There is a striking similarity now that you point it out. What a fun post.
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High drama at the lakefront. The mom offered the tidbit. And he’d snub her. She’d pick it up and try again, and he’d turn away. Finally she flew to the bank on other side of the bridge. He just sunk into himself and sulked. It just looked so human – so familiar… Thanks for giggling along.
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Giggling at the sulking, posturing, so human…or is it universal, not only to be attributed to our self-centered species?
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It was just such a scene to watch. That poor mom tried so hard. Repeatedly offering that shrimp only to be snubbed. Finally flew to the bank on the other side of the bridge and he sunk into his sullen self.
Easy to believe the DNA/chromosome differences are only a fraction different from species to species.
Thanks for flying in to chat
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Snap. Exactly my thoughts… teenagers 😉 as corroborated by Quentin Crisp’s words “The young always have the same problem – how to rebel and conform at the same time. They have now solved this by defying their parents and copying one another.”
Would have been fun to watch.
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Best quote ever! Just hysterically true. That little drama was so funny. The poor mom desperately trying to give a primo snack repeated to her child who flipped and swiveled his long thin neck until she gave up and flew to the other bank. At which point he shrunk into himself and looked pathetic. So human like. Molly was busy watching seagull, so we had time to watch it play out. Thanks for adding that great comment
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Who would play Rock Hudson?
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There’s an older Great Heron that’s been standing around….
Thanks for screening this drama
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I had a real drama that playing out on my balcony railing last week – also birds playing the main characters. Honestly, I think the inter-species connections are stronger even than we imagine. Why else do we watch with such intent, and respond so strongly?
As for tidbits – this week’s fish kill meant tidbits galore for egrets, herons and all else. One late afternoon over at the Boardwalk marina, every variety of bird was lined up along an empty section of dock, going after the Menhaden. With no scarcity, there was no squabbling!
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Birds must have thought the management was throwing them an appreciation banquet.
I think the habitat encroachment is worse than we thought…birds are hanging out and observing far too much human behavior…even heading into Home Depot (They know right where the bird seed is stored, but have trouble lifting the bags into the carts much less sliding the bar codes over the scanners.)
Maybe you’re right “Chicks of a feather flock together”?
Thanks for tossing over a comment
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James Dean was a rather good causeless rebel. I always think of a David Essex song, Rock On, about JD. Birds still prob behave better than we do though.
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That’s one of my favorite songs. JD signaled those to appear after – but none matched his style. (Long term? Who know how the image would have held up?)
We’ve just had the funniest bird dramas this spring. Nice they’ve been not in the yard, though – less messy.
(Are you able to enjoy that patio shelter or stuck indoors…maybe some wheel contraption will be tossed close by. Horrid time of year to be stuck. Hey – capture and retrain a drone? You could do some long distance photography.)
Thanks for fluffing the feathers of the comment nest
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He’s looking very cool indeed. 🙂
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There was so much reflection from the sunset,it was difficult to get a pix. And of course once mom left, he folded up into himself. He’s quite the long tall slender dude with his neck stretched out. Molly was busy watching seagulls…but she does have a limit to her patience! Thanks for floating over to chat
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Dean was almost a caricature of himself, wasn’t he? He was gone before I really knew who he was.
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Very true – always wondered if time/career would have been kind to him had he lived. Legends get create once people are dead.
But as it is, guess he’ll alway be thought as the iconic young rebel. Thanks for stargazing along
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