This entire year, I have been coming across instances of animals displaying signs of much richer inner lives than I had given them credit for. It is tempting to

This entire year, I have been coming across instances of animals displaying signs of much richer inner lives than I had given them credit for. It is tempting to anthropomorphize, but it is just as tempting do dismiss displays of intelligence or emotion and see animals as mindless automata. One observation that never ceases to amaze me is watching crows interact with common buzzards. It looks as if the crows are harassing the buzzards until they retreat. AFAIK, these birds do not compete for the same food, nor do buzzards eat crows. I don't think it likely, but I would not be surprised to learn the crows do this just for fun, or as a kind of "team building exercise". And I still wonder if dogs think it is weird when humans pick up their poop.