for the birds

Call it misplaced or dreamy, but along with a flock of egg laying chickens, I'd like to someday have pigeons.  Homing pigeons to be exact.   I'm enchanted by their unexplained ability to find home.  I realize I'm projecting and anthropomorphizing, but it feels like loyalty. And there's also the appeal of vicarious flight and the added bonus that Bert loved them too.

Pigeon fact: Did you know that pigeons were used in World War I as photographers?
Take a look at this dapper fellow.  All he needs is a bomber jacket.

Apparently a German named Julius Neubronner, trained pigeons to carry a lightweight camera he invented to to take aerial photographs. The combination of an automated shutter and homing instincts transformed the birds into unknowing spies.

A Youtube search lead me to this video of urban pigeon racing in Baltimore.  Super cool - just another reason to have my own.