Month: March 2003

Watched a crow at his morning ablutions. It was raining. Keep that in mind as the backdrop: it enhances the scene. He caught my attention on the wire above my head because of the vigorous action of one claw massaging head and neck, digits spread, eyes closed in imagined enjoyment if not actuality. Then a good long session with the other foot.
I was entranced! What next. He did not disappoint. Beak began to probe and preen the feathers that might have been unaligned by the tousling on neck and chest and back. It would be a chiropractor’s delight to study the extent of movement and flexibility of a crow’s vertebrae; I am not sure if his head swiveled totally around but it could have! Now the shining black wings got swung out and back and this way and that like a magician preparing his cape for some sleight of hand. A few of the long feathers got detailed. Then a tremendous overall shake that would have done a wet dog proud. Whatever that means. You know what I am trying to say! It would seem the grooming would have to start all over again after such an action but the feathers sort of made an aura around the bird and then settled into his sleek shape. He sat quietly for a moment so I could properly admire the polished profile and then flew away. I was left feeling quite rejuvenated!