I don't know when it happened or what caused it, but ever since I started paying attention to the animals that live all around us, even in a relatively urban en

I don't know when it happened or what caused it, but ever since I started paying attention to the animals that live all around us, even in a relatively urban environment, my mind has been blown repeatedly. Bats, squirrels and rabbits are everywhere, and the variety of birds that inhabit or regularly visit the area where I live (western Germany) is staggering. Last year, I saw a kestrel in my backyard, taking a mouse. A couple of weeks ago, I took a walk and came by a couple of wild geese just sitting there on the lawn. It takes a conscious effort to pay attention, but it is very much worth it, at least to me. (It helps, I admit, that the city I live in is fairly "green", i.e. has lots of trees and parks that happen to provide a habitat for lots of animals as well.)