Tuesday, October 25

After a morning with small children, Android tablets, and Scratch Junior, I decide to go for a walk to clear my head and focus on how we can develop the workshops. I walk down to the beach and sit at the Crab Club with a ginger lemon soda and a splendid view of the waves.

When I get back to the house I notice that the cow that usually grazes on that side of the road now grazes on this side, on a little mound right on the edge of the road. I walk up and talk to it. As always it has a stork-like bird on its back. As always the bird leaves the cow when I approach.

The bird plays an important role in a thoroughly symbiotic relationship. It grooms the cow, eating bugs and ticks that would otherwise irritate or injure it. In exchange the cow tolerates it on its back and makes no effort to get rid of it.

I photograph the cow who, because of the bank, looks at me with its eye at the same level as mine. It watches me with only as much curiosity as one might expect anyone to display at someone interrupting their meal.