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I sat down in my back yard to write about an entirely different topic for the HWord just now, and was distracted by the abundance of wildlife surrounding me, here in the middle of Hastings.

I’m not knowledgeable about birds, who they are, which ones are beneficial and which are kind of mean, but I just enjoy watching all of them. That makes me a “non-bird watcher”, I suppose, as the true species that falls within that title can tell you most anything about whatever birds they see. I’m just a lurker…I like to watch the birds flying overhead, landing in the trees above me, pecking about in the yard, and occasionally taking advantage of the bird feeders. Just now I see a robin on top of the house, dangling a worm from her beak. There! I know one bird! I can watch the interactions between the species as they duke it out over who gets the birdseed, who gets the breadcrumbs, and who can make the most noise.

The squirrels running over the top of the fence and around (and around) the trees just tickle my funny bone. Last night, we watched a squirrel on top of the garage, eating maple seeds out of the gutter. I told him he’s moving too slowly…there are SO many maple seeds in that gutter, and he has a long way to go. Years ago, I watched a mama squirrel teach her babies to jump from the tree to the fence… she was every bit as impatient with them as any human mother teaching a toddler how to feed herself. And loud? Chatter, chitter, screech… those babies were going to jump, or else. Every single one did eventually make the leap, and every single one survived. I’m guessing their grandchildren are the ones who entertain me with their antics today.

But… the surprise of all surprises happened just now. I was watching a bunny nibble away at my garden (I have enough to share), and spoke to him (her), as I usually do. It just seems the friendly thing to do. After my greeting, Ms Bunny hopped over to my backyard table, then continued on to hop OVER my feet, to the flower garden by the back fence. Then, as if suddenly realizing the error of her ways, she took off like a shot down the side yard toward the front, and disappeared. I suspect she didn’t recognize me as a human (I’ve gotten pretty dirty digging in the flower beds today), or perhaps she’s just a very brave bunny. In any case, she made my day.

Some other time I’ll write about the deer who bounded over me as I walked home from work at the hospital…

About the author: Judy Sandeen

Born in Loup City, Ne, Judy Sandeen is a Registered Nurse who has held varied nursing positions throughout her career, most recently as Director of Campus Health Services at Hastings College. She is currently in her third year of retirement, and remains interested in public health and social justice issues. She is married to Jack Sandeen, and their children are Amy Sandeen, who now lives in Hastings, and son Eric and his family, who live in St Paul, Mn.