Down through the ages, the sagas tell of the Veggibyrds of Lekannen Island, During the false night sun these scavengers take off over the frozen northern seas, seeking fish, other birds, or even hunting bigger prey. Tales hint that soliltary fishermen in fragile carraceel or kayak have been attacked and eaten by these vicious flocks.. PERILS OF THE NORTHERN SEA, Eds. Patch, Merrick and Gunnarson, Fetch Press Created in VUE 6 Infinite using a standard terrain. Monsoon's Sea Vue arctic sea MAT is from 3DCommune shop, The Midnight sun atmosphere and tundra ecosystem from Robin Klebb's Tundra item in the Cornucopia store. The flocking is a happy accident. I applied the ecosystem including sedge grass, to the terrain, then decided to seriously erode the island. As I did so, it not only smoothed itself to a very simple shape, but shrunk considerably in all three dimensions. The grass in the ecosystem stayed in its original place, giving the effect, if one does not look too closely, of flocking birds... ;o) I know that this is not a particularly festive render, but I do wish all Renderositeers all the joy and peace of a Holy Christmas, and a year ahead full of wonder and challenge in our spiritual journey to our Maker. Thank you for all the views, comments, and e-mails over the past year, which supported me through major surgery ( cancer of the prostate ) and out the other side. On another, more serious note, as with quite a few contributors I have encountered the death of several colleagues, friends and relations during this past year. I came near with prostate cancer myself, but have remained focussed on the Journey of Life. Death is still a great mystery but I am now more sure than ever that in it Life is changed, not ended. As an old student friend put it, when her father died, while she was on an exchange teacher year in Portugal: "Death is but a curve in the road of life. We cannot see round it, but it helps to be driving responsibly when we reach it... ;o) " Warm regards to you all, now and in the future, John.