We sat in a wildlife hide

At the head of a Scottish loch

Watching the birds

It was low tide

A stationary heron at the waters edge

Patiently waiting for a passing meal

Mallard ducks feeding

Seagulls resting in the kelp

White fluffy clouds sailed over blue skies

The light breeze made small ripples

Sparkling in the low sunlight

Time stood still

No sign of human activity

We bonded with nature

The animals were happy

So were we

Until Maria found a tick crawling on her arm

We rapidly unbonded with nature