The birds build their nests in the cherimoya trees.

In this semiarid climate,
The foliage offers shade and protection.

The workers begin harvesting in February,
Picking the knobbly, green fruit,
Rarely disturbing the birds.

Lunch break-
They scoop out the milky flesh,
Black-seeded like buttons on silk.

They go back to the groves ‘til sundown.

The birds pick at the husks.

Harvesting continued for several months,
Before new growth was pruned back.

The birds flew away.

The workers built their nests in the cherimoya trees.