Thanks for the very, very kind response. When I journalize I promise not to report on my hangnails, spiritual angst, etc. -- and nice to hear about more blue herons around, and nature lovers!
Hmmmm, MMario, you may be right about the ratios being comparable, though the absolute level would be higher (and of course the whole notion of "disease" is so humanocentric anyway). I will try this question out on our resident zoologists and see what they make of it (I am no wildlife biologist). I expect an answer in about a year or two.
yours, Peter T.
P.S. catspaw -- "fun at my expense" is part of the fun, as you know better than anyone!!!