[pct-l] Getting close to nature

[Reinhold Metzger]

It's amazing how animals can have such a calming effect on man.
Being somewhat irritable the last few days while recovering from 
Arthroscopic knee surgery  Monday, I took solace in the company of my 
miniature dachshund Mitzy.
Her love and loyalty have a calming effect on me.

Then the other day I noticed a hummingbird had made its nest just 
outside my bedroom window, containing two eggs.
The hummingbird was coming and going continuously.....in the nest 3-4 
minutes ....gone for 3-4 minutes etc.....hummingbirds are so hyper and 
have such high metabolism that they need to eat almost constantly, 
except at night when their metabolism and heart beat slows down 
dramatically.
I got very excited about all this and got my binoculars so I could zoom 
in real close without making my presence known by standing to close by 
the window.
Early this morning the first egg hatched and I watched the mother pull 
the shell apart to help the chick out of the shell, then just a little 
while ago the second egg hatched.
Witnessing the birth of two beautiful hummingbirds was a heart warming 
experience.

Yes, Mitzy and the hummingbirds have a very calming effect on me.
I get a similar feeling watching wild life along the trail.

I think getting close to nature is good for us......it's good medicine.

JMT Reinhold