There were some sausages left over from Australia Day, now beyond their sell-by date; there was a magpie who took note of my gesture from his vantage point in the poinciana tree – he made the call; and before long the lawn was like a scene from “The Birds”. My friend, the one who always comes close to talk to me, did so again and seemed not to mind too much when I bent down to take his photograph. I reckon he knows I admire his pluck (and his eyebrows).