Goldeneye

Odd how themes appear in life. Today I added another bird to my life list with a Common Goldeneye, which appeared on the pond early in the day feeding near a mother mallard and her four soon-to-fledge ducklings. I may have seen Goldeneyes before -- most likely, as they are indeed common, according to reference books -- but this was my first positive ID of one. Quite a handsome creature with bold black and white markings and, of course, an imposing golden eye, set against a black hood, a small circle of white just below it.

Six days ago I visited the Imperial War Museum in London where we took in a special exhibition on James Bond and his creator, Ian Fleming. As Bond fans will know, Goldeneye was the title of one of the great man's tomes, but what I didn't know was that his writing-- including the first books before "Goldeneye" -- was mostly done at a Jamaican retreat he had named Goldeneye. Much of the Bond character was drawn from Flemings' own life, so one can see how he might have hijacked his own hideaway for the novel.

No mention of James as ever being a Reuters correspondent, however -- a history I happen to share with Fleming. Other than the writing influence for the author, it appears connections between life events are simply coincidental.

Back at the pond, last night's gathering of egrets was accompanied by the hunting of a prime adult black crowned night heron. None of them were at all disturbed by children playing nearby and, as night enveloped all, the sound and sight of fireworks.

At dawn today, a Great Blue Heron, a Great Egret and a young Black-crowned Night Heron were prowling the shallows. The egret scored twice as I observed.