Leaving the Nest

Some seagulls nested in chimneys opposite my window. As far as I could tell, there were three chicks, then all I could be certain of were two. Eventually there was only one. I saw it sit around while the parents flew off for food etc.. Everyday its grey feathers changed, got more speckled. It began to preen itself. Occasionally you'd hear a piercing little cry, repeated, and in harmony with it craning its neck. Last Friday it stood preening its salt and pepper plumage and suddenly stretched its wings. Stretched it wings. It was amazing how big it had grown so quickly. Then yesterday nothing. Had it flown? The pigeons moved in today.