It’s been a while since my last Crow News update.
Are you OK, Mom?
Every morning I get up, make coffee and sit with the cat while I check the latest world news on my phone.
Next, I get dressed and take the dog out for a walk. The walks have been getting longer this year, as it seems to take more time outside with the local crows to recalibrate my doomscrabbled brain.
I’ve been planning for a while to write regular blog posts, keeping up with the always-evolving crow stories — but my thoughts are endlessly engaged in the following tug-o-war:
“These tiny, detailed stories from nature are super-important, now more than ever!”
vs
“The stories of a dozen or so East Vancouver crows don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.”
This morning, the “tiny stories are super-important” side temporarily has the upper hand, so here is the story (so far) of Lucky Two — Lou for short.
Lou is one of my newest crow acquaintances — and the offspring of my two oldest crow acquaintances, Marvin and Mavis.
He was born last spring and seems set to stick around with his or her parents for a while, taking the place of Lucky One — Mavis and Marvin’s 2022 fledgling who stayed with them for three years. He moved on last spring, presumably to start a family of his own.
Note: I don’t know if Lou is male or female, but I’m referring to him as “he” for now.
Marvin with Lou and a sibling in early summer 2025
This little bird has stolen my heart.
So much so that when he vanished for about a month in January, I was ridiculously depressed at his absence, going out to search for him often.
I had pretty much resigned myself to him having gone for good when, on January 28, he was back, just as if nothing had happened. Obviously, something HAD happened, as evidenced by his newly ragged tail feathers, but we’ll just have to imagine his adventures.
He seems happy to be back to a quieter life with Mom and Dad. They seem pleased to have him back, too, with one or both of them keeping an eye on him at all times.
Lou, with slightly battered tail feathers
Lou has inspired my idea for the 2027 City Crow calendar.
The more time I spend around crows, the more convinced I am that they each have quite distinctive personalities — a concept that I’m excited to explore more in the calendar and on the blog. Lou is a perfect example.
Often, Lou is with other birds, including other “teenagers” — yet his behaviour and general way of being in the world set him apart. I am testing myself at picking him and other crows of my acquaintance out of a crowd solely by their behaviour.
In Lou’s case, I have a way to check if I’ve been right, once I get closer. He can be reliably identified by a tiny patch of white feathers on the side of his head — just visible from the right angle.
I often envy scientists who can accurately track birds by tagging them; these few tiny white feathers are my “tag” equivalent for checking out my crow personality theories.
It’s probably a limited-time opportunity, as he’ll likely lose this little mark after moulting season in the late summer/fall.
So, what do I know (and love) about Lou?
Well, first of all, he’s a photographer’s nightmare — constantly on the move in search of interesting things.
Nickels in the autumn leaves …
Pebbles in the grass …
Berries …
Moss (he could hire himself out as a gutter cleaner)
Mice …
Lou seems relentlessly optimistic, finding fun and entertainment around every corner.
Sometimes, he even thinks his parents might still feed him! When they fly close to him, his fledgling “feed-me” response is triggered. Marvin and Mavis either ignore this small regression or give him a light “in your dreams” peck.
His cheery, confident disposition sometimes leads him to think that the highly territorial neighbours (Norman and Nancy) will be fine with him coming over to say hi.
Norman and Nancy — they do NOT like visitors.
This is NEVER the case, and often Marvin and Mavis have to mount a rescue mission.
Marvin, acting as Lou’s bodyguard when close to Norman and Nancy’s imaginary territorial line
I can spot Lou among other crows because he’s the one in perpetual motion. He’s striding purposefully, searching for treasure, experimenting with new materials, and generally enjoying every single thing the world has to offer an adventurous young crow.
All juvenile crows are like this to a certain extent, but Lou, of all the “teenager” crows in the neighbourhood, is by far the most driven in his pursuit of getting to know everything about everything.
Lou in his favourite alley on bin collection day.
As you can see, I already have a lot of photos of Lou — yet for every picture of him in the frame and in focus, I have two of him that consist of a blurred fraction of tail or wing as he moves on to pastures new.
Endlessly entertaining; photographically nerve-wracking!
I look for Lou every time I leave the house, just so I can absorb a tiny portion of his optimism, curiosity and general joie de vivre.
Lou takes flight, July 2025
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Dear June, please don’t stop sharing your crow stories.
The adventures of your crow families do us a world of good.
Anyone feeling upset about the sharing of those stories is in a very unhappy place and would write miserable comments whatever you write about.
May the crow stories continue. /Elaine
Thank you so much for your wonderful crow story on this dreary March day.
What a delight to have this be the first thing I read this morning, instead of Heather Cox Richardson (whom I adore but well you know, I think). I also envy the ability to tag animals. I wish we could tag our crows here in California! Not sure at this point if we’re feeding 2 or 9 or 11…. and no natural tags to work with, either. Behavior helps but only a little. Anyhow please keep feeding us these wonderful stories. They’re incredibly important, especially in times like this. We must remain integrally attuned to our natural world and the lives of the creatures we impact with our woefully disruptive existence. We also must continue to find small moments of peace and joy.
That’s funny, because Heather Cox Richardson is also one of my first reads of the morning. She’s wonderful!
She IS wonderful—a national treasure, in fact. Just very sobering, too.
I’ve been reading her every morning since before Covid. I enjoy this blog as well! One of the things I miss about Facebook is the Kingston Crow Watch Page. I don’t think our crows would be nesting yet. Still too cold.
Thank for give us this lovely antidote to the terrible stories forcing their way into our lives. Think of telling us about the life going on right under our nose as providing a service: a glimmer of light and hope. I love crows and love your amazing insights into their unique, weird and funny personalities. 🩷
Wonderful photos! Made me smile – and made my day. Thank you for those days when your “up” thoughts win.
I beg to differ from the opinion that these crows “don’t matter”. At a time like this, finding joy and distraction in your glorious photos of our “neighbours” restores my faith in what is still good and real – it gives me hope.
Always enjoy reading about your crow neighbours, this guy made me smile.
From your last blog about negative comments -I feel sorry for the people who don’t get it or are rude to you. Well actually that’s a lie, they hide behind anonymity and are a waste of space.
Enjoy your day June,
Helen👋
I love your blog and your crows! I have been living abroad for a long time (where there are no crows) and am longing to return to Canada. I love getting your emails and have noticed they’ve been coming less often. Take care of yourself and know that you have fans all over the place!
I tossed and turned all morning myself today fretting about the state of the world. It was so nice to read about Lou and his shenanigans and learn more about crows. It’s funny to think they have their own little soap operas going on. Thanks!
Hi June,
I so love your crow stories and images! And I understand how doom can interfere with the creative process! Personally I avoid social media and the news these days. I find if there’s anything I really need to know, one of my acquaintances will let me know, whether I want to know or not! 😆
I just listened to an episode of Alan Alda’s (of MASH fame) podcast about this very subject. I found it helpful. I think you might enjoy his podcast as another escape from doom scrolling. 😁 It’s about connection and communication. Very interesting, educational and entertaining! This one is about social media from a luminary in journalism. Hope you enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/794JFspRxRe4zGVTiFJ1Gf?si=sTW43V6PTk2n-BGa3VNgZg
Thanks so much. Love your world of crows, especially young Lou
Delightful photo, love your commentary❤️
These photos and stories always make my day better. Thank you.
Wow – this helped me realize it wasnt just me who is blogging less. But for me it started with a scooter hitting me. That curtailed my getting into the woods and investigating things.
However,….. recently I got recruited to work as a volunteer at a Museum. It is rejuvenating my creative spin and am working on a presentation in person in a few weeks.
Don’t let the assholes get you down. They may be here for a bit but the longer curve of time will send them into the sewer of stinky things.
Thanks so much for your photos and story about Little Lou. I think I’m in love though it will have to remain a long distance relationship. I live in Southern California and so many of the neighborhood crows know me since I’ll often give them treats, but I have 3 special friends: Cawki the OG, my first friend I made during the pandemic who has a little limp, Speckles who I recognize by some white spots on his head and back and Sable who doesn’t really have any recognizable physical characteristics, but I know his territory and he walks right up to me, closer than any other crow! They’re so wonderful and I’m glad you’re such a huge fan too. Please keep the stories coming❣️
The “small” stories are what keep us sane! Thanks so much for you stunning photos and entertaining tales of your neighborhood crows and other characters. Trolls be damned!
Delightful! A real breath of fresh air! Thanks June!
I think we need your wonderful stories and observations now more than ever. The world is in an uproar but we can count on you, June, to entertain and delight us with fascinating things that are also happening in our world. You help to ground us and remind us that life is going on and people care. That’s inspiring and keeps us moving forward. Never discount the power and importance of the little things in life. Thank you for everything!
Reading your wonderful many stories brings joy to my day. You make me feel like I am there by your side. Thank you so much for your constant supply of news observing the Crows and sharing their adventures.
Love the stories June, following you for a few years now. Stay strong and positive during these darker days refraining from too much NEWS.
What a fun way to start the day, Thank you.
Hi June! Crows are VERY important. Animals give us a break from the stress. It was so wonderful to see you appear in my email. I don’t have access to FB at the moment. I’ve been suspended for fake pages and false advertising, even though I did neither of those. I’m awaiting an decision but I am afraid I may have gotten lost in the system. Sigh. So I missed my June fix. And our Kingston crow page. The photos are wonderful and the one of him striding across the garbage can may end up on my crow kitchen cupboards. And the photo of him with the autumn leaves is gorgeous. I hope his bold confidence doesn’t get him into trouble. (Maybe it already has.) He sounds lovely. I’m thinking of joining a new Canadian social media called Hey Cafe, run by a guy in Penticton. It would be great to see you there. Please say hello to my other hometown. I miss it, rain and all. Meanwhile, in Kingston, the snow has melted suddenly and little green things are showing in my garden. Yay!
Oh my, dear June, you and Lou just brightened up my day!!!
Your crow stories make my day!
Hey,
Lou strikes me as a “props model” so maybe he’s just trying to enhance his beauty…? Love that totally 90 degree stance.
Dear June,
I thank you for saving our sanity with your small crow story of Lou. No matter what the news is, it is a blessing to read your blogs and remember how it feels to laugh! What a gift you have to lighten the burden of our despair of mankind. The blessings of nature and wildlife are the best way to survive the craziness of these times. Mary-Lou
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