I sit in my hollow tree, watching the sun set behind the flowers I hunt each night. As an owl, I’ve grown wary of ladybugs. Those tiny beetles with their glossy red shells seem harmless, but to me they’re a constant reminder of how quickly life can turn from abundant to scarce. Ladybug populations are booming in my forest, outcompeting butterflies and moths for nectar and pollen. It’s as if the very essence of our ecosystem has been rewritten to favor these tiny interlopers. I wonder what’s driving their proliferation - disease, habitat destruction, or simply good adaptation? Whatever the reason, it’s a reminder that even in nature’s grand tapestry, threads can be altered forever. As I take flight into the night, I’m left with more questions than answers about our delicate balance of life and death.