Interspecies Sharing – Day 726

Setting an Example – Photo: L. Weikel

Nope. I’m not going to write about what we’ve all been thinking about practically non-stop since Tuesday, the topic that’s been at the front of all of our minds. Instead, I’m going to report on the activity near my birdfeeders. Because, well, you know; I witnessed some interspecies sharing earlier today, and I thought we could use the inspiration.

(But in case you’re wondering, yes, I still stand by my unofficial declaration yesterday. If we were dealing with any other person as the incumbent, we wouldn’t be tiptoeing around calling this election. While understandable, it’s nevertheless aggravating that so many obviously feel the need to go out of their way to placate the sensibilities of the president before every last bit is securely locked down. It’s ridiculous.)

But I said I wasn’t going to go there, so I won’t.

We’re All Getting Along

Or at least it looks like they’re all getting along – and setting a great example for us humans. Who else would think a squirrel would hang out with a flock of House Sparrows and a Red-bellied Woodpecker, all basically breakfasting together; sharing a meal, breaking seed?

Yeah, me neither. But everyone was peaceably gathered in the yard, at the feeders, both yesterday and today, with only a few of the sparrows acting out and getting up into each other’s grill.

I’m hoping the sparrows don’t stay too long. They’re plowing through the black oil sunflower seeds as fast as Karl eats peanut M&Ms. And don’t get me wrong: a sparrow here and there is certainly welcome. But I start drawing the line when upwards of 20 and 30 at a time start lining up on the branches, (im)patiently waiting for me to retreat to the porch so they can commence their gorging.

The Watchers and Semi-silent Judgers – Photo: L. Weikel

Indiscriminate Consumption

While this heading could easily be a reference returning to my (lack of) appropriate coping skills as I await the election results, it’s actually a continuation of my distracted musings on the visitors at my feeders. As can be seen, these creatures not only line up on the branches, slightly creepily eyeing me up and willing me to retreat from the feeders. They also swarm under said feeders, gobbling up the seeds on the ground and squabbling amongst themselves for the best of the kill – I mean hull – once they feel neither I nor an occasionally renegade Cletus is a threat.

They don’t care whether they consume the seeds from feeders or off the ground. All the care about is feeding their faces.

There’s probably a lesson to be learned here from our feathered and furry friends. Maybe it’s how they’re focusing on enjoying what they’re eating and appreciating the abundance, rather than judging each other for their taste, or lack thereof, or perhaps most importantly, they’re not worrying that by sharing their bounty someone will get less than their share or have to go without.

Each to their needs, and nobody gets hurt – or even feels bad.

Hmm.

House Sparrows Gorging – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-385)