The Benefits of Cattails

Recently I wrote a letter to a friend who's community had a beautiful cattail pond, only to find it was diminished to a fragment of its original splendor.  Cattail habitat in southern Arizona is extremely rare, and very conducive to many bird species due to the abundant life it supports in a relatively small area.  But cattails often get categorized with such terms as weeds, pests, varmints, and the like by people who are either misinformed or have a superior sense of royalty over their surroundings.  Many times we react without thinking based on preconceived notions, some perhaps left over even from our childhood.   

Far be it from me to speak of perceived superiority in others when tonight here I was, cutting down cattail stands in my neighborhood pond.   The Cooper's Hawks complained as I worked, and a Yellow Warbler called out in protest.  I knew my argument for the better good wouldn't