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Observing Stuff

#1
Zinjanthropos Offline
Finally getting some warm temperatures in Niagara. A chance to go soak up some rays & it feels good. I have a good sized ground level deck in the back with a couple posts for some nearby lighting. During the recent cold snap, about 8 weeks worth, we didn't really get a lot of snow and from the comfort of the house I could witness the goings on around the outside deck. What I saw many times were hawks/kestrels who would perch on the light poles (8' high) and every now and then swoop down and pick off a field mouse that ventured too far or too long from the deck's protection. 

So today I'm out there catching sunlight when I see this field mouse come out from under the deck and nibble on something about 3' away. He didn't stay long, a dash of about 3' to the food, maybe 2 seconds to eat it, followed by another dash to safety. I seriously doubted after observing all the carnage produced by the raptors during the cold weather, that there wouldn't be any field mice left out there at all. But shortly after the first mouse made its foray, a second one came out from underneath and repeated the first mouse's actions. Made me realize something.

I don't think there's any doubt that the mice I saw killed and eaten probably overstayed or overextended their visits from under the deck, thus allowing the birds of prey an easy lunch. However the mice that survived seem to have the trait of quick hit & run artists, thus avoiding death. I'm fairly confident the mice currently residing under the deck have the adaptation that keeps them more out of harm's way than those I saw killed. The death of some actually improved the life chances of others and if the trait is passed on then the raptors are going to have to seek other hunting grounds. The mice get stronger and the birds will need to be quicker to eat if they want to dine on the mice around my deck. 

One of my favourite things to do.....observe nature and speculate re evolution.
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