Today, David Malloy and I went to the Arboretum to check out the plants and feed the wildlife. Armed with bread and peanuts (unsalted), we headed over to the lagoon area and found a bench. The squirrels really enjoyed the peanuts, and soon they were eating right out of our hands.

This sure makes up for the squirrel that was out for blood at my last job.

But the coolest part was the lagoon’s ecosystem. There were ducks, who really appreciated the 89¢ white bread. And turtles, who appreciated when the ducks would miss pieces of bread. I also learned that under the surface of the lagoon there were about one million Koi fish. If we were lucky enough to get a duck-free moment, whole pieces of bread would be devoured from underneath the water in a matter of seconds by groups of hungry pond fish.

There was one lonely Black-crowned Night Heron that just kind of sat there looking forlorn and woeful. David threw it a peanut. I stared at it for awhile and realized it’s pointy beak meant it liked to eat fish. I chucked some peanuts into the water in front of it and observed its change in posture as the fish and turtles clamored for a meal. I told David, “He wants a fish. I’m going to get him one. It’s nature. Don’t get sad.” So I kept the bait coming.

It took him about .09 seconds to step into the water, dip his head in and emerge with lunch. Then he high-tailed it.

Look at that punk, walking away from me. Hey, Bird. I just got you lunch, you can’t stay for one lousy photograph? YOU’RE WELCOME, BIRD.

Forget him.

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