Ups and Downs

March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 / The Urban Nature Enthusiast / 9 Comments

We took Geordie for a short run in the woods this morning. Just being in the forest is wonderful, but watching Geordie let loose is really joyful.

He loves to run — doesn’t need anything to chase, or another dog; he just likes to run for the sake of running.

He’s the very epitome of joie de vivre.

But I have to tell you, as soon as we turned onto the wider path near the end of the trails his entire demeanour changed. He hung back, walking like a condemned dog. It wasn’t just that the run was almost over — he’s usually fine with that. The problem was that he realized that he was muddy . . . and muddy means B – A – T – H.

He really is a dog who’s too smart for his own good and he’s always half-waiting for the “bad thing” to happen. It’s partly his personality, partly his rescue dog past, but he’s an incurable pessimist at heart.

I must say that this is perhaps one of the reasons I love him so much.

I can so relate to that “living in the moment” to “worst case scenario” emotional seesaw. Especially now.

You should know that we spared him the bath this time. Just a brisk towel off (which he likes) when we got home!

A Message in the Sky

March 29, 2020 / The Urban Nature Enthusiast / 24 Comments

It isn’t a dove, and it isn’t carrying an olive branch.

Probably too early for that, as we bob about in our socially-distanced arks on a vast sea of uncertainty, fear and loneliness, with no land yet in sight.

But it did feel, when I saw this crow flying over, trailing its lovely garland, that I was seeing some sort of message.

Perhaps: “Life is going on for us, and it will for you as well one day.”

Or maybe: “Look out and up, and there is beauty.”

Possibly: “My neighbours are going to be SO jealous when they see what I just got for the nest.”

As you may know, I’ve been photographing crows for many years now. I especially like to watch them in the spring when they’re collecting material for the nest. I love the silhouettes they make against the sky with twigs of various shapes in their beaks.

I have also watched them struggle to get just the right branch out of a tree. It’s not an easy task, as they have to first break the twig off and then wrestle it out of the tangle of branches on the tree. They often lose their prize, or just give up and look for an easier one.

This is, by far, the most impressive and lovely thing I’ve ever seen a crow manage to acquire.

Crows are known to sometimes present miscellaneous material goods to people who befriend and feed them. The crows of my acquaintance never do that, but they do give me wonderful things.

The fact that this determined crow* managed to haul this ridiculously long and beautiful garland out of an ornamental plum tree; that they happened to be poised on a roof with it just as I walked by with the dog; that they chose to fly off with it right in front of me — you must admit that these are a series of rather special gifts.

So, in a spring season like none we can remember, these pictures are gifts from the crows to you, via me. With love.

*This crow is either Mabel, or one of her family.

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More Tips From Edgar

March 28, 2020 / The Urban Nature Enthusiast / 7 Comments

DAY 7

When the sun is shining, Edgar recommends sticking your head outside and absorbing all the Vitamin D you can.
Need I mention that he recommends doing this while observing the proper spatial distancing protocols???

It’s important, while you’re housebound, to give your day some semblance of sanity preserving structure..
Edgar and Geordie are both masters at this game.
Pet dinner time is about 5:15, so at 4:45 precisely their desk-side vigil begins.
Just in case I forget.

DAY 8

Edgar recommends socially responsible snuggles.
If you happen to be self isolating solo, a nice toucan with a bit of catnip stuffing might do.
Love the one you’re with, etc …

Edgar demonstrates how to spend some of your waking hours during social isolation. He calls this technique “being one with the universe.”
Reminder: you should be aiming for 18 hours a day of sleep as per his earlier recommendation.