drop the beat
my contribution to the april grizzly gazette carnival, hosted by oracle of sages: "your favorite unconventional animal"
There were a few contenders for this one - my longtime devotion to the giant salamanders of East Asia, stately Alhambra tortoises, the adorable rubber boa, California quail with their fun lil antennae - but in These Horrible Trying Times I've chosen an animal that has never failed to bring some very necessary joy into my heart: the American Woodcock.
I've never seen one in person and frankly know little about them, except that they migrate up and down eastern North America, are crepuscular, in some places they're colloquially known as timberdoodles, and their most important characteristic: they're groovy as hell.
They perform their charming little dance while foraging; researchers think they might be somehow tricking worms and other crawlies into coming up to the surface, much like a Fremen warrior using a thumper to attract Shai-Hulud. The internet is rife with videos of their moves, and for once the youtube comments are absolutely can't-miss:
Next time you need a boost, spend a few minutes watching this playlist of American Woodcocks dance and just see if that doesn't lift your spirits.
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fig. 01 photo courtesy of wikimedia commons
fig. 02 I keep these screenshots saved on my phone and they never fail to make me smile
