When the crows call...

you have to get outside and see what it's all about.

Nature photo of the day: incoming crow.

caw caw caw
the unseen messages fly straight through closed doors
a set of three
followed by a chorus of five
caw caw caw caw caw
the calls were loud and clear
that a murder was gathering in the trees
too late for a nest to plunder
was it food they found
to share with another 
or was it a warning 
of climate change
or an act of territorial defense
I stepped outside to find
nine hooded crows
flying east
just beyond the ash in the fence
a few already waiting for the others
sitting on the sides
as the king in command arrived
with crowly grace
to relay a message meant only for the members
of the grey and black feathered race
and the fairies, too
for they knew 
what the purpose of the caw caw caw
truly was
it was
was

- Cheryl M.

Corvis cornix, the hooded crow, sound like this.

The crow everybody knows, Corvus corone - the carrion crow, sounds more like this. Not quite the same, but very similar.

But, in looks, you can recognize both at a glance, though you won’t be able to tell their gender by sight alone.

Whereas the carrion crow is completely black, the hooded crow, which resides here in Breb, Romania, is ash grey with a black hood and beak. They can live to about 4 years of age in the wild, so over time, you can come to know them by their sound and flight patterns. They may even start to recognize you.

That is, when you begin to become more aware of your outdoor surroundings.

It appears that autumn has arrived, evident by the lessening of leaves, shorter days and darker skies. And the crows seem to be enjoying the change of seasons.

With the crows and ravens so active lately, Csermely took it upon herself to first make a sketch, then draw a flock of black birds. You can find the newest digital print of hers in our Etsy shop: Earth Gratitude Studio.

It’s on sale for one more day if you’d like to take a peek!

Just as the birds fly away, often without warning, so do we have plans for the rest of the afternoon…

• A visit with a couple who attended one of our workshops over the summer and recently moved to Breb.

• Cutting and splitting firewood, by hand. It’s an ongoing chore that Roland and I manage with a two-person crosscut saw.

• Baking layered potatoes for lunch tomorrow. Rakott krumpli for those who are interested in trying out a traditional Hungarian dish.

• Then comes some reading and relaxing time before the new and busy week begins.

So with that, we’ll leave you with a journal prompt to end your weekend.

As for the journal prompt of the day:

Did I spend enough time outdoors this week?

If you did, great! Write about your adventures.

If not, how can you make next week better?

I know, it’s not always easy to spend enough time outdoors, after all, most modern activities keep us in. But when the weather is nice, what excuses are you making to yourself that prevent you from seeing birds in the sky - not just through the looking glass, but out there in person. Find the time, carve out the time, make the time… do what you have to do to spend at least 20 minutes outside every day. You’ll only go up from there.

Good evening and good night,

Cheryl