Meet Magellan

Yesterday in Gdańsk a pigeon landed on the line used to string flags and lights along the ship. Somehow, when the ship left the port, the pigeon didn’t get the memo that he/she needed to get off. So last night, out in the middle of the Baltic Sea, we see this pigeon clinging to the line with nowhere to go. Right now we are hundreds of miles from land, and the poor pigeon is still with us. He/she is not exactly a sea bird, so I hope he/she/it will stay put until we land at Mariehamn in the Åland Islands. Our ship is barely moving at ten knots, so the poor creature seems to be comfortable, but, goodness knows, how confused must the unfortunate pigeon be! I suspect the bird has traveled farther than most pigeons go, so Glenda and I have started calling the fowl “Magellan.” My hope is that when we get into port tomorrow, it will go to the nearest park, perch on the peak of the statue of the most important politician, relieve him/herself after a long journey, and then find a cute mate who will help broaden the gene pool among pigeons in Mariehamn.Read more