Crows are not common in my neck of the woods, and these days when I see them
in my woods they are hunting for nestlings. On Monday a lone crow caught my
eye flying over a field in a peculiar manner. It would soar in a short dive,
pull up and then at the top of its upward momentum, just before it would
stall, it would twist a bit and sort of flick its wing in the air before
stooping downward and then up again. It did this several times, and then it
pumped wings, climbed back up into the open area and started swooping again.
Curious, I walked over for a better view and the manner of flight suggested
some sort of play, it didn't seem earnest enough to be catching bugs. Then
the crow swooped over and I was able to see and follow it clearly and at the
top of its upward swoop, it batted its wing at a clump of cottonwood seed
fluff, which lifted back in the air. It was like a little kid batting a
balloon to keep it aloft. It was warm and sunny and I lay down on the field
(the most comfortable way to watch something overhead) and watched the crow
play with fluff for several more minutes. There was something in the motion
of the bird that radiated ease and contentment, life is good.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer, Teacher
Snohomish County