Walking with Leaf around a lake near our house in early morning provides a connection with nature that we treasure in these Minnesota days. We watch the sunrise over the lake, turning the rippling waters pinkish-blue. It's a great way to start the day and remind ourselves that life is good.
 
Nature often provides the lesson for the day. Last week, we observed a lone crow trying to move one seagull off the lamppost where the crow wanted to perch. The seagull was having none of this invasion.
 
When the crow realized how stubborn the seagull had become, he flew to a tree and seemed to engage in a brief conversation. Then he and three other crows all flew over to the lamppost where they collectively chased the seagull away. The bullying crows cawed as they captured the choice spot overlooking the lake.  From there, they could watch for fish that occasionally surface, revealing their presence to prey.
 
There is strength in numbers when you are trying to achieve a goal. Accept when you're outnumbered and fly away from a skirmish if you can. Don't flaunt it when you have something that will make others jealous. The life lessons from Seagull versus Crow gave us topics of conversation that lasted through much of the walk.