At Ellis Lake, an overcast Sunday afternoon.

A lake divided into two, oddly shaped bowls in the middle of the city, surrounded by a constant stream of birds, wind, and traffic.

A spotless white swan cleaning herself on a grassy knoll, ferretting out whatever filth lurked deep within her feathers, then smoothly sweeping her sideways bent head across her back, as if to remember the long forgotten affectionate touch of an absent lover.

A gaggle of four grey geese combing the lawn for food, waddling in unison side-by-side.

A line of five mallards barreling down the hill into the water.

A multilateral crescent of black and white pigeons receiving harsh dictation from a trio of angry snow geese strutting before them.

A red-faced duck slowly approaching in the quiet expectation of food, then the arrogant acceptance of the lack thereof.