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Thursday, 18 February 2010

Crows in February

By Norma Shore

Are there many things quite as dramatic as black crows on white snow?

I was treated to the drama on this cold winter day on my afternoon walk in the sunshine. I could hear the cacophony from a distance and was watching for them. I was greeted as I rounded a bend in the road and the unmistakable sound became louder.

They were clustered together, forming a black blanket on the white sheet of snow that covered the grassy area in front of the house. The many windows, empty of any watchful eyes, looked out and down at the busy convention of wildlife.

I was sad for the inhabitants that they were missing these sights and sounds in their absence from home. Yet I felt fortunate to be the only observer to be treated to the spectacle - for spectacular it was, especially as I approached more closely.

At what seemed a pre-arranged signal, the "cawing" became louder and the sea of birds lifted themselves into the air in what seemed perfect unison, wings spread, allowing a small V in the center of the formation. I watched in awe and pleasure as they moved out of my sight and the sound became faint in the distance.

The visual treat would remain with me for the remainder of my day.

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