After last night’s dinner I sat on the couch with Michael and we read our ipads and mulled over the days news. A bird began singing so clearly I glanced at the window to make sure we hadn’t overshot and stayed up until dawn. The night was still black, and a glance at the time told me it was only a little after 1:00 AM.

A lovely sound, but I associate it with morning, and I wondered if it would keep us from sleeping. I wish I knew enough ornithology to identify the song. Was it audible because the nights are now so quiet? Normally at about that time we’d be hearing the hooting warble of night clubbers making their way home from Polk Street.

Maybe we heard it because birds in the city have become bolder, like a lot of other wildlife. Videos are popping up showing coyotes strolling casually on San Francisco streets. Maybe birds that normally roost in the leafy parks or suburbs have moved downtown too.