Day 4 - 318 -- First Times

A day with firsts. The rain in my yard was a different colour in the hills in the area and was far less liquid west and north of here. So, it has begun. The day continued as a usual Tuesday -- classes, students meetings, heaps of e-mail, and chasing others via phone and e-mail.  Grocery shopping occurred to refill the empty places in the fridge. Last week was very full and the time and energy to face the grocery stores just didn't happen. So, things were looking a bit sparse earlier today. Perishables replenished so the fridge appears to have items to make meals again. On the way off campus just before sunset, I noticed a flock of birds in the sky and then I gasped. I've never seen a mumuration of larks before except for videos online or television. This was breathtaking. Sadly I couldn't pull over anywhere, so had to leave them behind me.

Mumuration -- a group of skylarks flying in formation. They fly as a single unit, moving in unison as they move in all three dimensions. The effect is mesmerizing -- so surreal yet elegantly constructed. It made me think of working as a team. While we often use the V-shape of geese as an example of teamwork -- sharing the work -- what I saw today was an elevation of the team. This group flew as one -- bobbing and weaving and turning together, making the most delightful patterns. That was real team work -- working as a single unit not following a single leader, but with all being leaders and followers. It seemed more hieratic than hierarchic in appearance -- all members on equal footing (or is that winging? <smile>). What a cool way to work as a community.

The song shared today could have been a musical accompaniment for the skyward dance witnessed today. This version is played by a musician who won awards for his performances of this composer. Enjoy!

Song of the Lark (Chante de l'alouette) from Tchaikovsky Seasons (March) -- Van Cliburn