I suppose our woods are healthy, if the abundance of animals is any indicator.  We have lots of deer, raccoons, skunks, rabbits, gray squirrels, birds, possums, foxes, bob cats, and even an occasional coyote.

 

Sometimes I sleep on the screened porch attached to my studio.  It's sort of like an enclosed tree house, sitting high on stilts amongst the trees.  You'd be surprised at all the activity in the woods at night: much rustling of leaves, little foot falls and maniacal cackles of barred owls as they survey their nocturnal domains. There are some unsettling noises too. Nature isn't gentle and predators aren't squeamish, often eating their prey even as it's still alive and screamsing. 

 

This morning, I woke to the raucous brawl of a murder of crows in the woods.  Yes, that's what you call a flock of crows: a murder.  Telling, isn't it? 

 

Crows belong to a genus of birds called corvids.  The corvids include the crows, blue jays, magpies and ravens.  They are supposed to be the most intelligent of birds.  In fact, as scientists learn more, corvids are deemed to be some of the most intelligent of all the animals, nearly as smart as dolphins.  Amazing, isn't it?  Little bitty bird brains that are so smart! I guess brain size isn't all that important. 

 

There's one thing I notice:  the corvids that inhabit these woods are noisy and contentious.  I often see jays and crows alike mobbing other animals.  I've seen jays mob my cat.  Crows seem to enjoy mobbing the squirrels.  When mobbing, they do act in concert.  But when not acting in concert against a common enemy, crows seem to relish a good, noisy brawl amongst themselves.

This morning, sleeping out in the studio, I was awakened at about 7:30 a.m. by a loud murder of crows brawling in the woods:

Crows

I wake to a cacophony

Crows brawling over some small thing

A scrap of food, who owns the tree

Who has the biggest, blackest wings

Every crow thinks he's the king

The Lord of everything he sees

I wonder if crows ever dream

Of peace and quiet when they sleep?

Probably not!

 

Be well and good luck.  Martha Maria

P.S. I've got a new name and website!  It's www.dogwooddaughter.com