Flora and Fauna

I grew up in the North with a big backyard, no fences, and a woods at our property line. My parents always had a big vegetable garden and flowerbeds around the house, and they were always interested in the different birds that were native to that area. A birdbath was provided in the summer and a bird feeder (some would call it a "squirrel" feeder!) in the winter months. I failed to appreciate my parents' fondness for the flora and fauna. Gardening seemed a lot of endless work, and watching birds was...well...boring!

My perspective seemed to miraculously change once I had a house of my own, a yard, and then children. Planting a vegetable garden was initially an economical decision. I didn't anticipate the magic that occurs when you see that small shoot pop out of the ground, grow into a healthy plant and then produce green beans! Then when you have enough to put into a pot and cook for dinner, you can't believe the marvelous flavor and freshness. It's absolutely addicting. Ahhh...now I get it. This is why my parents were willing to expend time and energy to maintain a garden. Of course, I think there might be a direct connection between the culinary delight of freshly picked vegetables and the degree of physical energy output (and soreness) required in the cultivation.

The appreciation of birds (lizards, snails, toads, worms, and other critters) has come a lot later in my life. A frenzied, busy lifestyle is not conducive to noticing this rather silent and often hidden aspect of creation. It's only with a slower life pace that I began to see these inhabitants around my house and in my yard. They were there all along. I was just moving too fast to see them. Indeed, they often seemed more of an annoyance than a marvel.

We have several ponds in our neighborhood. Currently, one of them is very populated with white egrets, cormorants, ducks and sea gulls. (Yeah, I know, we're not even near the ocean! Tell them that.) On my morning walk today, I noticed the ducks and cormorants were very busy paddling back and forth through the water, looking for bugs, fish, and who knows what. The egrets, on the other hand, stand like ghostly statues on the water edge, not moving. But they aren't asleep. They are watching the water and waiting - waiting for the fish to come to them. Because the egrets are so still, the fish probably figure the egret legs are "sticks" and don't notice. When the timing is right, the egret will spear the fish with its beak. Two very different ways of securing food for the day.

I identify much more with the egret at this time of my life. Duck paddling looks impressive, and you eventually get what you're looking for. But the egret seems to have mastered the art of patience, strategy, and conservation. Work smarter, not harder!