Feed the birds

Feed the birds, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI, February 2006, HP Photosmart R817, Exposure 1/186 sec @ f4.7, ISO 200, no flash © Steven Crisp

A while back, I was out for my morning run, and came across this man just sitting there with some bird food in his hands, as hundreds of birds flew around him and had their breakfast. I was in Hawaii, at the Ala Moano park, and there are quite a few homeless people that live there. I'm not sure if that was this gentleman's situation or not.

This seems like a nice gesture, and a way to get in touch (literally) with nature. He was perfectly still, as all of life fluttered around him. Waves were lapping at the jetty in the background, surfers were trying to catch some waves before work, runners and walkers were getting some exercise, along with some Japanese performing Tai Chi. Fishermen were casting their lines into the ocean. Homeless people were washing up in the public beach showers. Outriggers were leaving the harbor for some practice runs. And then there were all of those birds. And within this activity, this man sat there fully present and still.

Anyone have any tuppence? Come on, you remember the song:

Mary Poppins Lyrics
Feed The Birds (Tuppence A Bag)

Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul's
The little old bird woman comes.
In her own special way to the people she calls,
"Come, buy my bags full of crumbs.
Come feed the little birds, show them you care
And you'll be glad if you do.
Their young ones are hungry,
Their nests are so bare;
All it takes is tuppence from you."
Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag.
"Feed the birds," that's what she cries,
While overhead, her birds fill the skies.
All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares.
Although you can't see it, you know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares.
Though her words are simple and few,
Listen, listen, she's calling to you:
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag."