It is a fall November day in Florida and as Anne and I enjoy the last days in the swimming pool before the cold weather moves in, we are accompanied by a northern mockingbird that sits on a fence post of a cyclone fence that surrounds the pool.

The bird is unusually quiet and complacent, but it is fall. The nesting season is over; the baby birds are now adults. No need to defend its nesting territory against intruders

Mockingbirds are year-round residents in most of the U.S. eating berries, seeds and insects. The northern mockingbird is the state bird in 5 southern states including Florida.

When we leave the pool area, the mockingbird flies into a nearby tree and seems to watch us walk to our car. I can’t help but to say, “By birdie, we’ll see you again.”