A Curious Feather

The garden path felt rough and cool beneath my paws as I ventured down from the porch steps. A soft flutter caught my attention near the base of the wooden feeder post. I froze, ears perked high, waiting to see if it would move again. When nothing stirred, I crept forward two careful steps. Lying right in the gravel was a small, striped feather, trembling ever so slightly in the light breeze. I leaned down with a hesitant tilt of my head and nudged it with the tip of my nose. It flipped over silently, leaving a tiny dusting of fine fluff against my muzzle. Finding treasures out here... it makes every step worthwhile.