Interesting to read your story about birds and grieving right now, Michael. I’ve just finished a piece about starlings/- the murmuration that happens every year. The more we observe birds, most animals in fact, the more fascinating they are. Your observation of the birds filing in lline past a dead bird, as though in a funeral procession was very vivid. Really, why not? Swans, I think, mate for life. Other species do too, though I can’t think of names right now. Thanks for a thought provoking read. I Hope you have no further problems with your eye.