There's something about wandering around a California mission when hardly anyone else is there that makes you feel you've stepped away from the modern world for a while. Maybe it's the crumbling walls and the antique tools in the garden. Maybe it's the quiet of the church. I think for me it was the feeling of solitude and peace. Unlike many other missions found in the center of cities, Mission San Miguel is away from most other properties. When I was there I saw only the gardener, a couple of others quietly taking pictures, and God's little creatures.
Although the birds and the bees were there, it was far from being "The animal fair" an old funny song speaks of. No "baboon combing...his auburn hair," or drunk monkeys -- just one squirrel playing hide and seek very quietly. The bees were gathered around the mission fountain, getting their drinks. The birds went wherever they pleased. As you see, one is perched on top of an arch near the entrance. I saw it looking down at me as I returned from my walk all the way around the mission grounds.
This bird is the last one I saw as I left. It is perched near the top of a tall flower spike on what I believe is a type of agave plant. I'm not positive, since I've never seen agave in bloom. I do like the silhouette against the cloudy sky. I was sorry I had to leave so soon, but it was almost closing time. So I said goodbye to the birds and joined my husband in the car for the ride back to Paso Robles.
What a lovely description of an old mission church. The photo of the bird on the plant is amazing, I'm glad I'm here to catch up on your blog.
ReplyDeleteMona, I'm glad you've been catching up. I'll have to see if I can get to your blog again. Seems I had trouble last time I tried.
Delete