Capistrano Swallows

Most years on March 19, the little birds known as swallows return to the Mission at San Juan Capistrano in California. Their appearance, recorded since 1776, is used as a comforting symbol of fidelity, that all's right with the world. When I first moved to this area, I visited the location and found an historic plaque stating that one part of the remaining original adobe structure was the oldest wall in the state. There were no "Do Not Touch" signs, and pieces of it weren't for sale, like Hemingway's bricks, so what else could I do but reach out and touch it, documented in a photo, touch history as well as look at it, sniff the fragrance of deteriorating wood and mud, listen to the wind wearing away man's handiwork. I drew the line at licking the wall, especially because the Mission appeared beloved by bats as well as swallows.

Listen to this article