It's one of those "lifetime birds" for birders, who flocked to a Maryland park to catch a glimpse of this tiny creature. With its normal habitat far south of here, the bird's presence represented a once-in-lifetime chance for many to see it. "Magical" is how some of them described it.
Even reading about it was enough to lift my spirits. That a tiny bird could stir up such a ruckus in a town more likely to respond to the latest scandal than to the presence of beauty in our midst is further proof of what we're coming to realize is a silver lining of the pandemic: a greater realization of the beauty and balm of nature.
All I can add is ... what a great way to start the new year!
(Photo: Wikimedia)