I was heading into the house on a summer day in 1999 when I found a pigeon sitting on the stoop in front of the back door.  As I approached the back door, the pigeon did not fly off and even when I stood in front of it, it did not move.  I sat down on the stoop next to it and was able to pet its head and as I did, I noticed a band on its leg.  It was a racing pigeon.  Up close, its colors were gorgeous.  Not just gray feathers, but emerald green and purple and black adorned its head and chest.  I had no idea a pigeon could be so pretty. Continue reading →