23 July 2010

the murder of crows

each morning this week i've tried to snap a photo of the raucous crows that have been waking me too early all summer long. screeching and shrill, they arrive at dawn to perch in trees around the yard. boldly, they swoop in and cover the lawn, squawking as they hi-step through the early morning dew. once this week, i awoke to rapid, rhythmic, incessant croaking. peering sleepily through the window i spied a young crow, jumping up and down in front of the blackberry bushes. with each screech, he hopped up and gobbled down a berry. needless to say, there are precious few left for us this year.

time was when crows were a harbinger of fall. a solemn, mournful sound that signaled the end of a summer. which was fine with me because i'm up early then anyway. but on cool july mornings, i love the indulgence of rolling over and closing my eyes for a few minutes more. not this year.

even though there are not yet any crisp fallen leaves with which to stuff the clothes, i'm thinking about making a scarecrow a little early this year.

6 comments:

Deborah said...

They are so noisy. We had a family of crows a couple years ago that came to the birdbaths and dipped into the water whatever dumpster-diving meals they may have picked up. Then they left behind all sorts of crap floating in the water, like bits of hamburger buns and chicken bones and french fries. Super intelligent but total slobs.

Irene said...

We have crows around here, but they don't come close to the house. They hang out in the neighborhood out front and I've stopped hearing them. Their sounds have become so familiar. I'm an early riser too, so maybe that's why I don't notice them.

Tabor said...

When they come in gangs, they are here to stay!

Jill said...

You're the 3rd person in the past few days that I've heard speaking of fall...it's been a hot summer here in the South, so I'm ready.

Jenny said...

WE have a bush in our Dutch garden the birds love. As they eat the berries they get drunk and fall off the limbs. So funny. I'll have to ask my husband what that is. You might profit from one.

Jim Bower said...

Not many use the collective term for crows. Just a hint of wishful thinking, as well?