They are beyond exhaustion. Their legs haven’t felt solid ground in nearly a week and they still have over 1400 miles to go before they reach land.  Their arms are spent from holding course, even though it’s all down wind. And they are starting to bicker over the smallest things. Who sits where, who steers better, who chooses which place for rest.

But that is the life of three  young white egrets, who have flown, or got flown, way off shore and  chose our boat for refuge.

As they headed down to land, they would fight, and steer each other off, while snapping at each other’s heads.  No doubt a pecking order in their  world. But once safely perched on our dinghy davits, they held on tight with their strong little reptilian  feet, pointed  their white fuzzy  heads into the wind,  and at last,  closed their eyes.

We wanted them to stay. We discussed what kind of options we had for feeding them. What do egrets eat? Little fish, stuff like this? They must need fresh water. We devised a plan to take some  wet cat food (a brand our picky cats won’t eat)  and mix it with water and put in a bowl. But by the time our plan came to some order, our new friends took off.

Now I will worry and keep a look out for them.  At least we provided a good nap!!!