Could it be love? Introducing the lovely Ms. Bird (we hope)

As I came home from my jog today, I noticed two men getting into a truck in our neighbor's driveway. I didn't recognize them -- two middle-aged white guys -- and I thought to myself: I'm not sure if I'd recognize the people who actually DO live there. (This is the waterfront house across the street.)

The men immediately drove off. As I crossed the street to our house, I glanced back at their house, and there she was: A beautiful white peahen.

She picked at the ground in their yard a bit and I stopped to watch. Did the men drop her off? I think maybe so. But I'm not certain.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bird was oblivious, standing across the street in Manny's driveway. I had to get to work but, more importantly, I had to see what happened when Mr. Bird met Miss Bird. I tried to herd him into the street, thinking he'd spot her then. A contrarian, he went the other way.

Eventually, though, Miss Bird found HIM. She crossed the street and slowly worked her way into the driveway, too. There they were, face to face, in Manny's driveway. Mr. Bird fanned his feathers, shook them until they rattled, did his I'm-leaning-over-on-my-knees performance.

Miss Bird picked at the ground. Mr. Bird remained his best NBC-mascot routine. Miss Bird wandered off. I called David, who suggested I give her seed. She wondered into our front yard, where she acted unafraid of me and hungrily ate seeds from Mr. Bird's dish.

She's really a beautiful bird -- all white with gray feathers, a very slim and graceful neck, a few colored feathers at the top of her head. I took a dozen photos of her.

Back in Manny's driveway, Mr. Bird stayed in his formal display. This was going to take time. Darn. Had to get ready for work.

Twenty minutes later, after showering and dressing, the two birds were pretty much where I left them. Mr. Bird was still fanned out. Miss Bird was still acting like, well, a regular peahen going about her business. Will she stay? Will they hang out together? Could this be love?