Tuesday, February 22, 2011

It worked! and a closer look at Crows

Making Days Count 53

Well, it worked! The sun returned...but brought the wind with it. That wasn't part of the request. However, a bright blustery day stirs up the waves, so out I went... in the car.

Whitecaps were roiling, with the picturesque snow-capped mountains adding another layer of white. Obligingly, a seagull flew into the scene :)

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I drove out to my favorite place. When the tide is out, of course the birds are out there with it and for the most part all I saw was a vista a bezillions rocks to trundle across.

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A couple of Merganzers were floating along, but as I got closer they flew off.

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A gusty day blows the clouds about, but they managed to pluck up some courage, gather themselves together and embrace the colourful sunset.

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No use being inside when the sun shines :)

Mo mentioned in a comment that she was interested in hearing more about the remarkable memory of crows, after I mentioned in my recent post, Capers in the Park, that I am particularly kind to crows, especially after seeing a documentary. 

Just across the US border at the University of Washington in Seattle, Professor John M. Marzluff has been studying corvids for many years, and his interest and experiences evolved into a book, "In the Company of Crows and Ravens" co-authored by Tony Angell. Their study group banded 7 crows to follow their whereabouts, and what ensued was amazing. Here is a link to an interview with Professor Marzluff. There is an excerpt from the book here.

A one hour "Nature of Things", CBC documentary was aired last fall (which I may have mentioned in a previous post): "Murder of Crows" which follows the crow study and I found it absolutely fascinating. I have been able to find the link online if you are interested.
A Murder of Crows is a visually stunning one-hour documentary that offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the inner life of one of the most intelligent, playful and mischievous species on the planet - the common crow. It is also a film that explores a unique pairing of science and cinema as world-renowned scientists, including crow expert Professor John Marzluff, joins forces with an award-winning camera team to explore the secret world of crows. A scientific exploration with a compelling twist, the film is a visually stunning HD documentary that reveals new insights and understanding into this haunting and elusive species.

There is also a TED talk by Joshua Klein on the intelligence of crows, and the Vending Machine he created, with a four step plan.

That's enough cawing for now :)

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5 comments:

  1. Lucky you as it's been a grey, wet day here! I've enjoyed reading this informative post along with all the links, and will ensure that I'm always kind to crows from now on.
    Several good words including roiling, bezillions and trundle caught my eye!
    Flighty xx

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  2. Trade you grey and wet, for white and cold! ;) I'm glad you enjoyed the post and links, and it does may one think about the interactions between us and our 'nature' friends. Good plan to be kind to crows...:)

    Glad you enjoyed the vocabulary ~ sometimes bezillions of words roil out so I have to trundle through them ;)

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  3. Glo, Thank you so much! The forecast promises sun today so I am hoping for an outdoor day, but I shall follow up the links more thoroughly this evening.
    We have a couple of Crows who visit and a flock that passes over regularly. We notice them mostly in summer as they pass overhead on their way to roost. It mus be a time-honoured flight path because I remember them passing over when I was a child.

    My favourite pic is the gathering clouds. Mo

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  4. Hi Mo ~ Hope you enjoy looking at the crow links, and glad to hear you had some sun! That always cheers everything up!

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  5. Crows are much under appreciated, unfortunately despite being so intelligent they can be pretty troublesome too!

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