Snow Magic

I held a red-bellied woodpecker in the palm of my hand today.

Snow swirled down, and I could hear the flakes whispering against dry leaves at the edge of the yard.

The woodpecker's claws clung to the skin of my hand as it gathered its bearings.

For about ten minutes, I watched the bird. I could feel a vibration from its body against my fingers and palm.

When it was ready, the bird with the bright red cap and muted red belly feathers flew up into the cedar tree.

It was the most magical moment of my year so far.

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