I had a wonderful lunch today. After running some errands, I decided work
really didn't need me back so soon, and I drove down to the Sound Garden on
NOAA grounds. I parked in the little gravel parking lot, and got out for a
walk. After being dive-bombed by about 200 starlings (I really tried counting
them - that's harder than I thought it would be) I went back to the truck to
read a bit of my latest P.G. Wodehouse purchase ("Do Butlers Burgle Banks")
with the window rolled down to catch the sweet breezes off Lake Washington.
When I was deeply involved in the trials and tribulations of Harold Appleby,
a very large "CRAWK!" in my left ear made me jump. Turns out 5 or 6 very
curious crows were investigating my truck - probably waiting to be fed. One of
them had jumped up and landed on the open window sill, and got impatient with
me! I had only the last little bunch of red grapes to offer them, and so I
opened the door and put those on the log next to the truck. Oh, did they
enjoy 'em!

After they feasted, most flew off to go paddle around in the pond further down
the road, but one pair stayed and dismantled the rotting log. It was
fascinating, watching them tear out chunks of wood, and find grubs and other
tidbits. One crow, the larger of the two, had a mangled foot. I couldn't
tell what had done it, but whatever happened, it left the foot curled up behind
the leg, so that the crow was actually walking on the top of the foot. It
limped, but I think it was from difference in length, not pain, as it rested on
that foot quite easily. In fact, it seemed very healthy indeed, and even felt
good enough to chase off the red-winged blackbirds.

After foraging for about half an hour at the log, the pair flew up to a sign
a few feet away and started grooming each other. It was a lovely sight. They
clucked and made noises at each other, also.

It was a wonderful lunch. What a gorgeous day! I'm glad I got to spend part
of it outside. And now back to work - gotta pay for the new pair of binocs I
just got!

Susan Collicott
susan at pmel.noaa.gov