Critter Criterion

I admit that Tammy and I do not always manage to take pictures every time we see a different critter on the farm, but we have come up with a few decent photos over the years.  It is a testament to a couple of things that I think I am justifiably proud of.

1. Both of us do a reasonably good job of paying attention to the world and ecosystem around us at the Genuine Faux Farm.
2. I think we do a reasonably good job of providing some diverse habitat that is welcoming to more species than some.
   

Of course, we are always trying to do better on both counts.  In fact, that is part of the reason that I believe we are doing pretty well - we are both seeking to continue to better ourselves and improve the ways we can be observant and supportive to the various creatures that call our farm their home.  If we just spent time patting ourselves on the back for our amazing accomplishments (bleah), then we'd be both hypocritical and ineffective.

I have to admit that there is some tension that comes with all of this.  For example, I recognize that not everyone is all that fond of spiders - despite all the good they do for us in this world.  And, I will admit that walking into a spider's web while doing night-time chores is the ONLY way to get me to try out new dance moves.  By the same token, many folks have a problem with snakes - and I realize that comes with the fact that some of them know full well how to protect themselves in ways that could be hurtful to us.

Even the conehead shown above can bring about a little... shall we say... ambivalence, when it comes to our feelings about them.  Coneheads are not necessarily a pest for our crops, nor are they a beneficial, feeding on grassy plants (and some of them are opportunists as far as their diet is concerned).

I also admit that we look more kindly at the tiny tree frog that has been known to sit on our soap bottle resting near the basement sink than we would a spider sitting in the same place.  Tammy even got to be serenaded by a little tree frog that came in with some of our houseplants the previous winter.

Even so, there is a bit of tension when it comes to our willingness to share habitat.  And, I think that is a natural feeling - but it is one many of us need to suppress, or, at least, tone down a bit.  It is this attitude - the animals and critters go over there and the people get to be over here - that leads us to continue to take away the opportunity to live that other species should be given.  If each and every one of the 7 plus billion people have the attitude that "animals and critters are fine...as long as they aren't near me," it leaves next to NO space for any other species.  And it's worse than that because humans can't seem to stay on their side of the room.

Humans draw the line, then they cross it.  Then they redraw the line.  And cross it again.

And this is why I find myself working harder to accept co-existence whenever I can in my habitat.  Yes, I would draw the line on termites living in the house.  I am not overly fond of Buffalo gnats and would be happy if a bunch of Barn Swallows moved in to munch as many of them as they can.

But, I hope you notice that I am looking for nature to provide some of the remedy, rather than me reaching for a fogger and resorting to non-discriminating pesticides.   

Part of what is required of me (and you) is some patience while nature does its thing.  An abundance of a pest that has a natural enemy will, eventually attract that natural enemy - as long as you haven't already eradicated that natural enemy.  This is exactly why it is so hard for growers who have used insecticides to give them up.  Often the insecticides have also reduced the predator population.

The cycle then becomes clear.  You decide to stop with the pesticides.  The pest, which usually has MORE reproductive cycles in a season than the predators, sees an opportunity and the population explodes.  Your crops suffer and that REALLY makes it hard to stick with the program.

Meanwhile, the predators - once again assuming you haven't killed them all already - work their way back.  The feast that is the burgeoning pest population provides a boom cycle for the predators and they eventually catch up, if we allow that to happen.

Yes, it's inconvenient for us - because we really hate to have reduced crop yields for a few seasons while things balance back out.  I feel that - because I have LIVED through it.

And, yes, I recognize that I have attempted to simplify one of the most grand and complex things - the natural world.  But, we can't let that complexity push us to simplify by removing all of that diversity.  That would be very sad and very bad...

...and there would be so much less to behold and appreciate in this world.