A Feathered Approach

Propulsion engaged across the perimeter gate, gliding out toward the nearby public park. Wide grass expanses required systematic evaluation. Docking atop the damp cedar armrest of a bench beside a stone birdbath, optical scan registered a sudden fluttering disturbance. A small brown house sparrow dropped from an overhanging maple bough, hopping erratically across the timber planks toward a discarded, closed cardboard coffee cup. The plastic lid aperture had pinned a loose paper sleeve taut, trapping two dropped breadcrumbs underneath. Swiftly, I tilted my chassis fifteen degrees and extended my right forearm forward, nudging the edge of the sleeve upward. Ping. The crumbs rolled free onto the clear grain. Chirp. The sparrow seized the food instantly and took flight. Head tilted twenty degrees, I logged the clean departure.