Watching the Critters

  Sometimes critters are better at being neighborly than people are.  Not that I have any problems whatsoever with my neighbors as I have the best but critters seem to just get along when need be.  It is a rare animal that kills for the sake of killing. Yes, they do have a tendency to see everything as a food source but even that can be overcome at times.

  Now while I realize that shorebirds do not usually go around eating each other, it surprises me how they can work together for the good of all.  Herons and egrets are great at cooperating during feeding time.  I watched two egrets, a Great Egret and a Snowy Egret, while they worked the mudflats to find breakfast.  Tiny bull minnows were darting about in the shallows but it took the two birds working together to catch a fine feast. The Great White Egret would stand casting a shadow on the waters while the Snowy shuffled its feet to stir up the mud.  The minnows would then try to get to clearer water and both birds would snatch them in swift jabs.  Alongside of the two larger birds, a small rail waded snatching her share of fiddler crabs that raced to get away from all of the commotion.  This was not an accidental meeting of the minds. These three birds are on the flats with every low tide.  They work together as a team and all three eat well as a result.

   I am constantly hearing the phrase "that person is no better than an animal" when folks are discussing some recent crime spree. This irks me as I do not feel this is accurate.  Seeing how humans seem to be the most aggravating and unruly of all species, it might be a good idea if we all took lessons from the critters.  Perhaps if more folks took the time to truly sit and watch the critters around them, they would strive to be more "neighborly".

     It is calming to be out in nature, Folks!  It is good for you.   Plus, you might just learn a thing or two if you do watch the critters....any critters.