Crows

Since last week, I have found several young crows on the ground. I wonder if  there is something dreadfully wrong with their nests. New houses here are having defects due to soil-settlement issues. It looks like even the crows' dwellings are having defects, probably due to 'air-settlement' issues. Jokes aside, these young ones could have been thrown out of their nests for some good reason.

Whatever the reason, the parents of these fledglings are very protective. They caw and encircle the little one from above when there are human or other animals near their young ones. One almost pecked on Clifford who was curiously near a fledgling.

If the young one is still not left alone after a few minutes, a whole flock of crows would join in, cawing loudly and to some extent, darkening the sky. By the way, a flock of crows can be referred to as a 'murder' of crows. They did look like they will murder someone if their fledgling is harmed. Those crows are most likely the parents and youngsters from the previous year and possibly the year before that. Crows are known to live together with their family for quite some time. They do not change mates.

It is amazing to see the unity among the crows to protect the weak. It is there natural tendency to do that. We human are like that too except for some who have forgotten their natural selves.

Most of the crows are black but there is one with a white ring around its neck who used to visit us frequently. It has the same colour combination as Clifford.

 There is another one which brought a message, literally speaking. See its claw below.

Sometimes they just form a smile in the sky.

Of course, some help themselves to Goldee's food.

Below is a fledgling that has not learn to fly. Someone fed it with rice and then released it near its worried parents.

I used to find bones dropped in the water feature. Perhaps a crow saw its own reflection in the water and try to feed it with a bone, thinking it is feeding another bird. Or perhaps it was trying to make chicken soup. Have you wondered how a bird feed water to the their nestlings? Maybe it is by soaking food in the water for a few days first before feeding.

There are many myths surrounding the crow. Most people seem to enjoy in crow bashing. However, many American Indian tribes saw the crow as a wise adviser and the spirit of wisdom and the law.

Behind the Scenes

Several months ago, I made an attempt to snap some photos of puppies in flower pots.

It was surprisingly quite easy...

Until one of them realized she was not in the center of the picture.

 

As she fought to switch pot, another pup slipped away.

Then they had some serious business to discuss while I waited patiently for them to pose...

 These are Captain, Panda and Clifford in flower pots. Panda loves to be in the center of attention.

In fact, she refused to get out even after the photo session.

So I snapped a few more...

and some more...

and she was absolutely delighted.

Quotes on Being Together

In order to change the world, you have to get your head together first.
- Jimi Hendrix

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

- Helen Keller

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

- Henry Ford

If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.

- Henry Ford

Let there be space in your togetherness.

- Kahlil Gibran

Quotes on Love

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

"Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outwards together in the same direction."

- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"Live well, Learn plenty, Laugh often, Love much."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Love works in miracles every day: such as weakening the strong, and stretching the weak; making fools of the wise, and wise men of fools; favouring the passions, destroying reason, and in a word, turning everything topsy-turvy.

- Marguerite De Valois

(Clifford admiring his topsy-turvy masterpiece above)

Below are some heart-shapes found in my garden ...

staghorn fern

water lily

penny wort

newly germinated seed

mushroom

K9's forehead

Why Own A Dog?

Why own a dog? There's a danger you know,

You can't own just one, for the craving will grow.

There's no doubt they're addictive, wherein lies the danger.

While living with lots, you'll grow poorer and stranger.

One dog is no trouble, and two are so funny.

The third one is easy, the fourth one's a honey.

The fifth one's delightful, the sixth one's a breeze,

You find you can live with a houseful of ease.

So how 'bout another? Would you really dare?

They're really quite easy but, oh, Lord the hair!

With dogs on the sofa and dogs on the bed,

And crates in the kitchen, it's no bother, you've said.

They're really no trouble, their manners are great.

What's one more dog and just one more crate?

The sofa is hairy, the windows are crusty,

The floor is all footprints, the furniture dusty.

The housekeeping suffers, but what do you care?

Who minds a few noseprints and a little more hair?

So let's keep a puppy, you can always find room,

And a little more time for the dust cloth and broom.

There's hardly a limit to the dogs you can add,

The thought of a cutback sure makes you sad.

Each one is so special, so useful, so funny.

The vet and food bills grows larger, you owe BIG money.

Your folks never visit, few friends come to stay,

Except other "dog folks" who live the same way.

Your lawn has now died, and your shrubs are dead too,

But your weekends are busy, you're off with your crew.

There's dog food and vitamins, training and shots.

And entries and travel and motels which cost lots.

Is it worth it you wonder? Are you caught in a trap?

Then that favorite one comes and climbs in your lap.

His look says you're special and you know that you will

Keep all of the critters in spite of the bill.

Some just for showing and some just to breed.

And some just for loving, they all fill a need.

Your life-style has changed. Things won't be the same.

Yes, those dogs are addictive and so is the dog game.

- Poet Unknown

(deleted 2 paragraphs from original poem)

Smell The Flowers

Have you stopped to smell the flowers lately? Take a deep breath and appreciate the beauty that surrounds you.

By the way, what do you think K9 is doing?

Smelling the flowers?

Quite obviously but no,

He is sniffing out the scent marked by other dogs earlier.
Notice he is trying his best to avoid contact?

Be grateful we are tall. We get to smell fresh flowers which are not tainted by dogs' scent.

Walk The Dogs

K9 joins the adults for morning walks.

K9's mentor inspects a dry leaf.

K9 chews up a dry leaf.

K9 is struggling to catch up.

K9 is left far BEHIND.

With a goal in mind,

K9 takes action.

K9 charges ahead with all his might.

K9 never gives up.