Barn Swallow Visitor

One spring evening three years ago, something flew out of the walkway as I entered my front door. At first I thought it was a bat, but I eventually figured out it was a barn swallow that was perching above the door, apparently waiting for stray bugs flying near the front light.


When I'd come home after dusk, it would be there staring down at me, probably wondering if I was going to grab it. I got used to not making sudden movements, so as not to disturb it. It stays for a couple of hours each evening.

Since then, it has appeared each year around the same time, repeating its routine for a couple of weeks. Barn swallows migrate all the way down to South America, and given some animals' ability to return to the exact same spot each year, it makes me wonder if this is the same bird each time. Who knows?

One evening soon, I'll look up and it won't be there, gone for the season.