Yin and yang

A rook on its own is a crow and a crow in a crowd is a rook

This morning, as Moss and I went on our first proper autumn walk, it was cold - bobble hat cold.  I saw something that I’ve never seen before; and it was rather delightful … 

After the long hot summer, it felt good to be layered up again.  

We went to our special field where we go when I feel Moss needs plenty of space.  She was in a sprightly mood; she gambled about, doing her thing, whilst I was occupied with my own thoughts.  

I vaguely noticed that there was a flock of seagulls in the field and a flock of rooks close by.  The seagulls in their grey and white plumage and the rooks in their black.  

I assume they were rooks because they were in a crowd.  I was brought up to believe that a rook on its own is a crow and a crow in a crowd is a rook.

 So let's call them rooks. 

Moss scampered towards the two flocks.  

And here’s the magic …

The two flocks, the black of the rooks and the white and grey of the seagulls, rose into the air at the same time.  

Neither seagulls nor rooks are the most elegant of flyers, and it was blustery, so as they rose from the ground into the air, they were blown about and tumbled around like acrobats 

It was a perfect yin and yang; not perfect – better than perfect!

It was a folk-art version of yin and yang – a visual jumble sale; messy, and muddled.  

As I stood and watched the two flocks merge, I thought to myself, what a heartening start to a chilly Monday morning.

AJK