Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Watch what you believe - Maree


This was Coco's (my Crow and companion for 20 years) typical stance when she was relaxing, and to me seemed wistful, pensive and deep in thought. I'm sure crows can be deep in thought - she certainly had enough to ponder - whether she should go into the kitchen and beg a tit-bit, where next to dig up my seedlings in the garden, which of the dogs to harass by pulling their tails or stealing their food or even wandering into the bedroom or bathroom to collect some items to stash up her tree.

Crows often appear in groups and I've often wondered if she missed the company of other crows. Though there seems to be no variation in their caw-ing to each other, each caw actually has a different meaning. I would immediately know when she's hungry by the caw she uttered and their complex vocabulary is one sign of their intelligence, and is also a sign of their significance as power animals. When a crow explores something new, others watch closely to see what happens and then learn from it. They often make great noise when hunters are around, warning the animals and other birds. Crows recognise potential danger and hence always post lookouts when feeding. This is their most vulnerable time. This helps us understand that we must watch what we believe, to test our habitual ideas about reality against a more universal standard.


Coco passed away at the age of 27 after a stroke and I can honestly say no other animal enriched my life like she did.
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27 comments:

  1. This is wonderful, Maree...my dad had a pet crow when he was young, and he told me similar stories. They're VERY smart. Beautiful sketch...

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    1. Thanks a lot Kate. And you're so right, they are extremely smart, intelligent, inquisitive, 'naughty', loving, calculating and much more than you can imagine!

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    2. I wish ours weren't so shy! They mostly stick to the hill, only occasionally landing in our trees.

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    3. That's a pity, but they do seem to have their preferences as to where they like to hang out. Maybe one day...

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  2. Have you read Bernd Heinrich's "Mind of the Raven"? With a crow companion it seems like the sort of book you would find extremely interesting.

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    1. I have not read the complete book EarthKnight, but have read snippets on the internet and Heinrich's observations seem incomplete and his studies seem rather inconclusive, mentioning mostly what he has heard via friends and people who have been lucky enough to have a crow or raven in their life. He even borders on the sceptical, believing that crows act out of instinct rather than any particular viable interaction with their world. But having said that, I think I will buy it just to satisfy myself on the truth of what he has written. Thanks for stopping by here, much appreciated!

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    2. Snippets don't do it justice. He actually had several ravens re raised at his cabin in the Maine woods. He is skeptical of many things, being a scientist. He was one of my grad school instructors, so I may have a bit more insight into his mind than comes out in the book.

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    3. Thanks for the info WritingOfNature, so therefore I shall get the book! It would be interesting to read about the Ravens he raised, thanks.

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  3. So amazing! I had no idea crows lived that long! Learn something new everyday..lol Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs! deb

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    1. My pleasure Jinx! But I'm sure living in captivity lengthens their life-span. Coco came to me at the age of 7 from people who had rescued her as a baby with a broken wing and a broken leg so although she was not caged and could fly short little distances, living at 'home' with regular food and no other real dangers for her certainly allowed her to enjoy a long life.

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  4. Thank you, Maree. I learned a lot from your great post today. I had no idea crows lived that long, and that they could be such companionable animals.

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    1. Yes Kathryn, they are extremely companionable (see my reply to Jinx above) and I was very blessed to have her in my life!

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  5. Maree, what an interesting story. I too, was surprised that crows lived to such a ripe old age. I'll bet Coco was just as happy to have you in her life. We have a leucistic (black and white) crow in my neighborhood but he's rather secretive. I've seen him only a few times but he's been here quite a few years. Mostly I'm clapping my hands and chasing them away from the little song birds they love to harrass. I may think twice about that now. Great sketch. It does look like she's thinking "what next?"

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    1. Thank you Paula, (See my reply above to Jinx regarding age) and yes, Coco seemed very happy to be with us, never showing signs of wanting to leave. Our black and white crows are known as Pied Crows here in South Africa and they're just slightly smaller than the Black Crow. I understand you chasing them when they harass the song birds, I have the same feeling with my resident Fiscal Shrike, she's a real terror around the garden!

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  6. This is a lovely painting and story. Wow..27.. amazing. we feed lots of Crows in our yard and have one very interesting crow that likes to hang upside done on our suet and one that imitates a Chicken and a woodpecker. We think we heard it say Hello too. Wish I could make friends with one. oh and when I was a child we had a small parrot as a pet..not a parakeet but a parrot.. and his name was COCO too.

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    1. Thanks Cris. Coco had quite an extensive vocabulary and mimicking sounds she did, I will be posting about that later. It's wonderful that you feed the crows, and like the one hanging upside down on your suet, they can provide hours of pleasurable watching! They do become quite tame, no, I should say bold, once they get used to you, but difficult to befriend unless they're extremely young and get imprinted by you.

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  7. I'm sorry for your loss, Maree. Your story and painting capture Coco and your special relationship beautifully.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Debbie. She did leave a great void in my life but I am so grateful that I did have the time I spent with her, memories for ever.

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  8. I am sorry for your loss, I am sure you miss Coco very much.I had no idea crows lived that long, that amazes me and that they are great companions. I will look at them differently now.

    Sue

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  9. Maree, I always love your paintings and stories about the animals and birds that have touched your life. Coco especially. Thanks so for sharing. You are blessed!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely words PJ. We are indeed blessed when they enter our lives!

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  10. Wonderful story and painting! So sad about your crow friend. . .sadly our friends to die, but we have all those wonderful memories like the one you just shared. Thanks a lot I really enjoyed it.

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    1. Thank you Sherry, glad you enjoyed it - it is sad but we are left with some wonderful memories and insight into the world of nature.

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  11. I've never known that a crow could be a pet, but I do know your sorrow, yes I do...
    I am so sorry. BJ

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    1. Aaaah, thank you for those kind words Barbra. They are wonderful pets, akin to a parrot, talking, loving, playful, the whole lot!

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