I really appreciate your letters: simple and easy to follow for people like myself who are not well educated in such. What I particularly appreciated in your mallards letter was your mention of how usually only about half of the ducklings grow to airborne size because there are lots of predators around the pond and "nature provides for all". A look at creation in whole is the best way to appreciate it and embrace it. Death comes even to cute little ducklings and its not a bad thing that predators stay alive. Thank you, again.Also a question: in regards to birds you have mentioned a couple of times about how they watch out for thorny branches. Do birds feet have nerves then? Are they as sensitive as the rest of their body? I was curious.Jonathan