Birds seem to creep into my work try how I might.
I’m reminded of the Latin tag from Juvenal –
Rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cycno. “A bird rarely seen on earth, and very like a black swan.” Juvenal chose a black swan for his comparison because the Romans had no idea that black swans even existed and so it was considered as impossible as a white crow.
So not only had Juvenal apparently never been to Australia but also not to Piazza dei Ciompi flea market in Florence. I found an eyrar of ceramic swans there today.
And while I was walking along the Arno I saw this beautiful creature.
A great white egret.
Not such a rare bird after all.
