p(h)et-life

I enjoy hiking when there is a mission/objective (e.g., a taste of heaven), especially under the canopy of Mother Nature's best features. The crisp, cool air, the rays of sun streaking through the tall redwood trees, the songs of the creatures in their natural habitat, the morning dew in its cohabiting state with vegetation, and creatures unabashed in their mating rituals.

Ladybugs (rather beetles) have over 5,000 species, but the Hippodamia convergens is one of the most common ones in North America. Every year from November to January, they converge at certain spots as part of the migratory habits. One patch at the intersection of the Stream and Prince Trails at the Redwood Regional Park houses a 'loveliness' of ladybugs (as groups of these creatures are called).

Researchers speculate that each year attracts new ladybugs each time, as their lifespan is relatively short, and that pheromones from predecessors mark the spot. It is impossible to move in that area without inadvertently stepping on them or have them crawl or fly on you. It is a sea of red and black. I even had one that traveled with me to a restaurant hours later. We happened upon it when there was a group of school children who must have been on some form of field trip. As one spectator noted, it was as, if not more, amazing to see the children's awe in experiencing the loveliness as much as the loveliness itself.

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Earlier this week, we met Casper, who is a legend of Hayes Valley and has his own Instagram account. He is an 11 year-old Indonesian Umbrella Cockatoo and is an emotional support pet so travels everywhere with his dads. He is potty trained and practically walks his dad when on a leash.

At the bar though, he was a regular in his local dive, Brass Tacks, and strutted around as if he owned the place, including naturally landing on his throne, perched on the shoulder of his favorite bartender, and entertaining the patrons. He had such a fearless yet friendly disposition that it was easy to see how he can provide emotional support to not only his dads but also strangers in a bar. Easy smiles, lovely laughters, tension cutter...faces lightened, shoulders relaxed and groups intermingled when Casper entered their respective zones.

He reminded me so much of my Fuzzy, when a pet becomes family and you take him everywhere with you. I never did have another pet since Fuzzy given the traumatic ending. I wonder if it is time for me to embrace my 'dog-envy'.