For the past few weeks I have met a new friend on my bridge-to-bridge river loop (18.5 miles). After crossing the Lift Bridge, a steep hill leads up to the small town of Houlton, WI. Along the side of the ditch half-way up the hill I met an old inky crow. He was a friendly chap. Old Crow would pop out of the ditch and hop in front of me as I ascended up the hill. His wing was broken, probably from a car. Every time I saw him I would think how cool it would be to bring him home and have him perched on a nice big stick hanging from one of our colossal Poplar trees. . All the bread and vittles included! Today I headed out on that route for my afternoon run. He was dead on the ditch. Shit. A male and female cardinal shared the feeders today. I think this drawing I did of cardinals serves as a nice solace to Old Crow. The other image of a robin and her baby. Every year there is at least one robin going ballistic over her young. The fledgling chicks float to the ground and begin their education in survival. The two days of learning to fly has mama robin in guardian mode. After letting the cat out this morning I heard rapid, high pitched calls. Peering from the deck I saw the baby flutter to safety under a bush, while mama robin dive bombed our cat. Luckily all facilities are in tact with all parties. Back to Old Crow. Even though he was not a blackbird, I kept thinking of this song on my run. I think it suffices well as an ode to a crow. youtube/watch?v=J6JaUplB5JE
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 23:30:09 +0000