THE WISLA'S TONGUE

In the midst of the Vistula is a sandbar. At times, it resembles a tongue, at others a long serpentine tail. It is a haven for all manner of bird life. Indeed, it is not the only sandbar or spit along the Varsovian Vistula's length. This, however, is the most central, wedged as it is between the old town and the zoo. It is obviously such a watermark of the city that cartographers have etched its ineffable outline onto maps. Occasionally, during periods of heavy rain, it will disappear from view altogether, but it's never far away from the surface. Whether as a gathering place for gregarious gulls or a contemplative spot for corvids, this little sandbar is a home from home for many of the wings of Warsaw.