bats, birds and a new museum!

while walking around the huge grounds that were the palace (i say 'were' because as soon as the king moved out the new government put up a sign saying "palace museum"), the first few times i didn't really notice much. a few times ago i noticed these white, short legged heron looking birds flying all around. interesting. well, the last couple times i've strolled around the palace, doh, museum, i really looked into the trees. holy cow! no, wait, not cows, but huge nests of these birds alllll over the trees. and, upon further inspection, what i originally thought were big black seed pods, are bats! totally cool! they completely dominate the trees, yet seamlessly cohabit. i guess it helps that the birds are diurnal and the bats, nocturnal, but still...you'd think they'd have trouble sleeping while the other's out partying. i didn't see any baby bats, but the fledgling herons were more than anxious to take their first flight. they still have their baby fuzz, but are quite big. i thought this whole display was fascinating and i walked up and down the sidewalk under the trees taking photos for about an hour. just watching and observing their behavior. of course, i had to watch my step and the passers-by on the street thought i was nuts, but what else is new here?! i kept seeing them look up in the direction i was gazing as if to say, 'what the heck could possibly be up there of any interest? just some bats and birds...'. i sometimes think it'd be nice to be a bat or a bird...completely oblivious to the tibetan protests, garbage piling up, street children and handicap people begging and well, the palace being turned into a museum. love, j