Monday, March 31, 2014

Something To Crow About

When many people think of crows, they envision this:

Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, The Birds.

And I don’t blame them because that was one scary-ass movie about birds; especially how it depicted crows attacking Tippi Hedren, Suzanne Pleshette, and all the children in the school yard scene. Even today, whenever I watch this movie (or any Hitchcock film for that matter), I get scared. To me, Hitchcock was the master of suspense.

I've never been a big ‘bird person’ or ever desired one as a pet. I appreciate and respect birds, it’s just that I have never really had an interest in them.

With the exception of a crow.

I have no idea why, but crows fascinate me to no end. And it’s weird, I think I must have some kind of ‘kinship’ with them because whenever there are crows around, they will fly right up to me, land, and just stand there and watch. And yes, I do feed them sometimes so that could be part of the reason. But it’s more than that because they feel safe and comfortable enough to take the food right out of my hands.

I used to hang out by a big lake where I lived in Orlando, Florida. On certain afternoons I would take a lawn chair and a book, and sit in the sun. And within a few minutes, all the crows that were in the trees would fly down and form a big semi-circle in front of me.

And it was so comical because it looked as though I was holding court with crows.

Now here’s the strange part…

I would actually talk to them (such as asking them how they were doing and if they were having a nice day), and they would tilt their heads from side to side in curiosity; blinking their eyes as if they were trying to understand what I was saying. And sometimes I think they even knew what I was saying because they would playfully hop closer to me.

See…didn’t I tell you it was strange? I'm like The Birdman of Alcatraz, only with crows.

I know crows can be very aggressive and mischievous when it comes to stealing food from other animals, but hey, that’s the animal kingdom. They fight for their food, because that's nature. But so do a lot of other animals.

I think crows sometimes get a bad rap. Partially because of the ominous way they look, and partially because of their aggressiveness and superstitious association with bad luck, death, illness, and other tragic things.

Yet, there are certain cultures who believe that crows symbolize power, transformation, flexibility and adaptability; welcoming the presence of crows as a sign of something positive.

Personally, I find crows beautiful. I love their blue-black color, sharp-angular shape, and size.

Crows are also listed as one of the most intelligent birds. And I can believe that because they look intelligent.

Yup, I LOVE crows!

I admire their physical aesthetics, their fearlessness, determination, keen perception, and intelligence.

And I even find them sweet.

I leave you now with one last photograph taken on the movie set of Alfred Hitchcock’s, The Birds…

*A gentlemanly crow lights Tippi Hedren’s cigarette

(is this not the most faaaabulously clever photograph?)

Happy Monday, y'all!