We saw them this morning from a block away.

Carrion birds bigger than our small dog.

They were making quick work of a squirrel I assume had been hit by a car. Cleaning up man’s mess. Keeping the sidewalk presentable for joggers, dog walkers and parents pushing prams.

These birds are not known for their elaborate plumage or melodious serenades.

They are not center stage, in the spotlight receiving accolades; flits of color between the branches, notes of a well known song. No. These birds work mostly unnoticed behind the scenes, receiving wrinkled noses and looks of disdain if spotted at all.

It is not glamorous, this job they do, but it is vital to the system that it be done.

I am realizing more and more these days how many jobs there are that go unnoticed, how important they are, and how grateful I am for the ones doing them.