snips, snails, and puppy dog tails

The blue jay circled overhead. While the view of Wolfpaw Lake was gorgeous—especially on a sunny day like today—her belly growled. Wintertime was tough for an omnivore without teeth or claws. Though, Aster amended that thought after a pause, everyone seemed a unluckier during winter.

However, after a bit of patience, her keen eyes spotted a cluster of snails clinging to swaing reeds.

She swooped down, scooped one off the reed, and soared back into the sky. The tasty treat retreated inside its shell, and a little flap closed behind it. Snails were predictable in this way. But Aster was a clever bird, and she’d learned this trick from her parents before she’d even reached a year of age!

By the bank of the leftmost toe of Wolfpaw Lake, she flew down into a secluded bit of undergrowth. Not the most ideal place to hide from predators, but it had an excellent rock with a nice sharp bit.

Aster swooped down. She dropped the snail on the rock. It bounced off, unharmed.

So she picked it up, flew, dove by again, and dropped it on the rock once more. She did this three more times.

On the fifth total try, the snail’s shell cracked. Then she trilled to herself and landed on the rock. Time for the feast!