One for the birds

Denver Nuggets forward Chris Anderson has rejuvenated his career through the use of a persona. Birdman. His energy and crowd pleasing antics have made him a fan favorite and a spectacle for the hometown fans and visiting opponents alike. While one Birdman has built a reputation by gathering attention on the hardwood, another has been creating a stir on the cobble stone courtyard of Notre Dame.
The Parisian Birdman is the resident eccentric who, like Jack Hannah, is one with the animals.
The Birdman feels every scurry and head bob of the pigeons who make the famous cathedral home. He can be found, year after year, spreading seeds, offering a restful shoulder and even executing proper burials for the winged rats.
When most consider pigeons a bother, the Birdman sees a friend in need. A dropped crumb is never followed by a shoo or kick, but rather an opportunity to add to his flock of minions.
Visitors congregate in the courtyard of Notre Dame to admire an architectural gem. Not everyone notices the subtle symbols that deck the cathedral. But everyone notices the tornado of wings on its path to the Birdman. Like the aftermath of a natural disaster, the Birdman is not a sight for sore eyes. His greasy hair and unshaven face are complimented by his equally dirty shoes and worn clothes. The pigeons pay no attention to the Birdman's aesthetic dysfunction. Instead they focus on the grocery bag of seed at his side.
Like Notre Dame, the Birdman's duties are not swayed by the hoards of visitors. No amount of flash photography and gaping onlookers deter him from carrying out his seemingly only passion in life. Caring for the pigeons.
As pet owners know, pets can bring joy and act as another member of the family. This means that the death of a pet can often be as disheartening as the passing of a family member. The Birdman does not have the luxury of a backyard to serve as his own pet cemetery, but he does have the Seine. With a quick blessing, deceased pigeons are underarmed into the flowing currents. But the Birdman does not dwell. He stays true to his duty and spreads more seeds.