Wildfire: A Great Event for Many- By Jack Maraziti
Warm orange flames danced amongst the treetops as darkness approached. The setting sun was darkened by billowing black smoke that emerged from the forests of Northern California. In complete silence, the distant crackling of brush burning could be heard coinciding with the sirens of the panic within the human population. However, as many homes were evacuated by both people and animals, we started to converge on the fire with a gathering excitement. The excitement built with each increasing degree of heat. As we neared the fiery destruction, a wave of black emerged from the forest, chased by licking flames. We swooped down and feasted on the crunchy insects as if it was Thanksgiving! Weighed down with delicious food, we returned to a safe nesting area in close proximity to this wonderful gift. After several days of waiting, nature finally dialed back the intensity of the flames. With the flames extinguished, it was time to feast again, bu...