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The first snow of the year falls. The flakes are very large, but when the Potterer puts his glasses on, the flakes become smaller and somehow sharper. Is it possible to conclude that glasses have an influence on snow?

 

The first seeds must be spread out on the birds’ food table. The guests take some time to arrive. While the Potterer waits he begins to ponder on the importance of birds on science. No need to dig up anecdotal examples of the beak size of the Darwin finches that changed our world of thinking and created the theory of evolution. On his journey Darwin grabbed along the skins of all the birds that he and his companions managed to shoot down. Later the species were identified at the London Natural History Museum.

 

But how many children’s interest in science has started with birds! And not all of them have become ornithologists either. A world famous example is James Watson, the discoverer of the double helix. And in Estonia too there are lots of natural scientists whose interest in how the world works has started with birds.

 

But so what, scientists. Artists, composers, writers. So consequently, not man but birds have laid the foundation for science and the arts!

 

Because even before art and science entered our yards our ancestors knew: it is worthwhile to honour birds. Once you know bird language life runs easier!

 

So welcome, winter birds, from whose feeding the minds of the feeders rather than the bellies of the birds are fulfilled.

 

January 10th, 2014