The bird looks like it's plotting world domination... or lunch.

A few steps further into the morning light, I noticed another feathered resident of this quiet town—a noisy miner. It strutted across the brick pavement with an air of confidence that belied its small size. Its yellow markings caught the sunlight as if they were gilded accents meant to draw my attention. The shadows of nearby trees dappled the ground around it, creating a stage for this tiny performer. It paused briefly, tilting its head as though sizing me up. Perhaps it wondered if I was friend or foe—or merely an indifferent passerby. The fallen leaves scattered across the bricks seemed to frame the moment perfectly. The simplicity of it all felt profound.