bird brain

Just before 11pm last night I looked out and saw a crow silhouetted against the twilight sky on the corner of next door's building, with Venus (?) twinkling away in the pink blue.

The black bird shape was reaching out and snapping at the air - eating midges, flies... or moths! Never having seen a crow do this before, it was quite comical and unusual to see it stretching with the beak snapping open and shut. Moments later 'his' mate hopped along the roof edge and they did it together!

There are often bats flying round and round this little bit, as it must be rich with insect life where it's still warm between the buildings. This looked like a late night snack stop.

This morning 3 ducks had decided to spend the night in our street. Again, unusual because it is an urban kind of street with some grass verges further up (where they were). This is the second time I have seen them there, and I wonder how/why they chose and returned to this particular spot in the middle of town, when the river and beach are just blocks away.

Later, I saw the same 3 ducks in the carpark beside the duckpond as I left for work - they looked as if they had just arrived - perhaps they are commuter ducks! Another day at the pond...

This is a card from a recent batch - I love the bird theme. I bought the little 'hungry chick' a while ago. It is a japanese netsuke carving which is to remind me to feed my writer/artist self and not neglect my own projects. I haven't had a Julia Cameron style "artist's date" in a while, which she recommends to feed the inner artist - but lately have been feeling the need for one. I think the chick is beginning to give me that look.

Comments

[melissa]

i love the little 'reminder' chick- and it was interesting to read about netsuke carving. lovely bird stories- i've never seen a crow catch insects in such a way! how nice to have a little bit of wildlife in your urban street.

[amisha]

so nice to have a reminder to take creative time for yourself... i am feeling that need a lot these days too.
xo