Fresh cut grass

So far this spring, my lawn has had an abundance of dandelion flowers. While many find these flowers to be an unwanted addition to their yard, I find their presence not only joyful, but also beneficial to the environment. For I notice that bees enjoy these grassy gifts. At times when few other flowers are in bloom, dandelions are among the first, most accessible, and plentiful spring food sources for bees, offering vital nectar and pollen. While a spotless green lawn with no dandelions is a preference for many, I find that the presence of these flowers is of far greater importance for the overall economy of nature rather than our mere aesthetic wants and needs.

After having mown the grass in the front lawn, many of these dandelions are inevitably cut down and destroyed. And while they are sure to return at some time due to seed dispersion, I feel I have temporarily offended nature by cutting off an important source for the bees in my community. However, I recently observed that after I mowed the grass, there were these two birds, which I believe were brewer's blackbirds, wandering and poking around the fresh-cut lawn. It suddenly occurred to me that these birds were on the hunt. I saw one that appeared to have some kind of a worm in its beak. The other bird was poking around even deeper. It suddenly made sense to me what was going on. Brewer’s blackbirds are known to follow yard equipment, such as lawnmowers, to feed on insects, worms, and seeds that the machinery leaves behind. I also think that by me mowing the grass down to a lower level, it makes it easier for these birds to poke around and see. Whereas longer and uncut grass might make it easier for prey to hide and thus be difficult for the birds to detect and capture.

This experience of simply mowing a lawn got me thinking of the interconnectedness of all things in nature. While the dandelions temporarily serve as a source of food for the bees, me removing them in my yard by mowing opens up the door for the brewer’s blackbirds to come in and take advantage of the fresh-cut grass so that they can then easily feed themselves. Mowing grass is such a simple task that most overlook as having no environmental effect. In fact, our yards and gardens are small ecosystems that are a part of the overall whole of nature.

Whispers of Spring

The birds sing sweetly in the morn,

While bees dance 'round the dandelion's adorn.

In the emerald grass, life unfolds anew,

Nature's symphony, a vibrant view.