The Striped Seed Harvest

Out past the patio screen door! Noon sky wide open. Claws scramble straight up the angled timber leg to the wide cedar table. Commanding outdoor vantage point! Right in the center rests a massive dried sunflower head, broad as a platter. Sharp pause! Head tilt left, right. The dark disk bristles with hundreds of plump, black-and-white striped seeds wedged into tight spiral cells. Cautious hop forward on rigid foot talons. Reach forward—clamp! I brace my left foot on the weathered rim, hook my curved wing talon under a protruding striped husk, and yank. Pop-tick! The seed snaps clean out of its fibrous cup, tumbling across the wooden slats. Dense treasure unlocked!