I have always liked this shot: water snake free in his element and duck seeming to take on a "trust but verify" posture. Must be ever vigilant.
Our flock of eight ducks now, only two of four were left after last winter; we had to get six more to expand the flock. The white ones are Pekins and the darker ones are Mallard domesticates named Ruens. Others are cross-breeds, maybe the solution to getting along.You will not see any of this flock more than ten feet or so from any other member of the bunch. Safety in numbers as long as a member can squack and warn in case of danger (and it is a specific squack.) Drift out too far from the group and danger lurks-- may be coyote or coon food. It has happened.
Interesting how they of different breeds get along; even if it is only for self protection., Perhaps we as humans need a common enemy to get along with each other. The "my God is better than your god" attitude of the clergys is getting tedious and is surely not helpful to a good end. But what enemy? If the antibiotics eventually fail to protect us from disease how do we help there -- I have few test tubes and would need to depend upon the existing medical setup.
We need an enemy which we can all fight against; the lowliest and least mobile and those needing help being recognized but can think in ways helpful if listened to are all part of the communal effort .
It was clear in the past: donate your steel pots, gas rationing, donate material, rubber, anything which could build war machines and defeat a clearly deviant enemy. Pitch in! " Howdy neighbor, let me help you with that load! " We are all in this together. God (god) must have sat in the background and flinched at the scene, but common-enemy joined us together in life and victory, although the millions in the ground may disagree -- could they speak.
The enemy is hatred, fear, and ignorance.
So we must stick together, be kind and understanding to each other, help if possible the others in need and build bridges to be used when a belief is far away.
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It is the only future that I would like to live into.
