{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}
Friday, December 5, 2014
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Crow Days
The apartment building next to our condo is one floor shorter than our own. Our windows look down on its roof, which is in such a sad state that deep puddles collect during any rain and remain for days afterwards.
This is a shame for the buildings’ tenants but a boon for birds. Almost every morning starlings gather on the roof to drink from and bathe in the puddles. One afternoon I saw a whole flock of robins doing the same, their bellies in the falling light as russet as autumn leaves.
Today I saw a crow bending to the surface of a puddle and was able to get a couple of pictures.
The pictures weren’t terrific, but they did let me see that the crow, unlike the other avian visitors, wasn’t just drinking: it was dipping a piece of something—bread, popcorn, or some other scavenged food—in the water, presumably to soften it before eating it.
Crows are smart.
They’re also fascinating. I love the way they move, the calls they make, and the challenge they present to photographers. This time I was at least able to capture more of its plumage than unyielding blackness—this time I was able to see the beautiful pattern on its back, almost like iridescent scales, and the metallic charcoal color of its beak.
It was the only crow I saw, but I’m sure I heard more of them. I regularly see a murder of five flying from tree to tree or harrying a red-tailed hawk. Once I counted 20 of them flying by, to what destination I couldn’t say.
If I had a lot more time, I would make it a year’s project to just photograph and draw crows. I don’t think I would get tired of them.
What animal do you think you could devote a year to?
{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}