Spring is coming.
No, really. I swear.
The seasons still change, even when the world stops.
Just ask Hopper, here.
Is it spring yet, Hopper?
Hopper's checking the internal clock. The one that tells all living things when it's time to crawl out of the cave, get fevers, fuck (or at least try), build nests, clean, plant gardens, play baseball, and do all the other springy new rebirthy things.
Well?? What's the verdict, Hopper?
Hopper says no. Not spring. Not yet. Still winter.
But.
There are daffodils. So, you know, soon.
Spring really is coming. Just you wait.
This is my entry for the #monomad challenge, held daily in the Black and White Community.
Give it a try. Hurry! Before spring gets here and makes you do other shit and you forget.
CrowTube Channel
Crowstagram
NFT Crowroom
A percentage of this post's rewards goes back to support the community, but I wish 100% of this post would make Russian soldiers put down their arms and walk away. I would post every picture I have if it could help Ukraine.
All the stuff (pictures, words, etc.) I put in this post and any of my other posts is mine (unless otherwise stated) and can't be used by anyone else unless Hopper and I say it's ok.
Ohhh ☺️ You photos are just AMAZING!!!! Greeting to your little friend🐦
Thank you @heryanna! That little friend is only about 9 months old. 🖤 Little babyface.
He lives with you?
Lol, nooooooo. As much as I love crows I can't say I wish I shared a home with someone so clever and quick and prone to pooping.
Hopper is, essentially, a neighbor. Their family has a territory a couple blocks away from me around a school. I visit regularly. Here is a video of the family with Hopper and siblings and parents.
This video is amazing 😍 I had to share it on all my socialmedia channels 🤭😜💗
Yay, thank you!!!
beautiful shot mate.
i like the look in his eyes
Thank you! Yes, a contemplative little kid, Hopper is. Still pretty young, too, so their eyes are not as dark as the adults' eyes are.
I love the expressions of Hopper here. I don't know how Hopper can look at those daffodils and claim it's not Spring on the move.
Hopper's new to this whole being-alive thing. They're only about 9 months old (still not sure yet if Hopper is male or female). First time seeing winter dissolve. But still better connected to the internal clock than many humans I know.
How do you tell male and female? I have zero experience with sexing sexy birds. Hopper looks so healthy and big at nine months. Definitely they are more attuned than most humans.
Generally by voice timbre, behavior, and there are a couple calls that are said to be specific to females. Also knowing a mated pair you can see who disappears to the nest in spring. I think females have slightly more delicate features, too. There are other factors, some of which I haven't quite sorted out yet. I'm not always right but I'm getting better at it. I thought Junior was a boy for a long time.
Interesting, quite subtle behaviours. I wonder if there's some colour marking difference. It'd be subtle I'm sure. Usually the males are the ones with the flashy hot rod looks?
How long have you been spending time with crows? Fascinating to hear about it. I wish I had that kind of opportunity.
Well Bo is certainly one of those hot rod the-beach-is-that-way kind of brutes. He ain't no 98 gram weakling. Some ladies are pretty large, though. Hopper's parents look a lot alike are are practically the same size. Sometimes I think they're brother and sister but I don't know if crows do that.
Generally, there are more flashy tough males dominating the relationship in mated pairs, but I only see dominance displays over food situations. I don't know if it extends to other scenarios. I know some tough bossy ladies, though, like Momo, who is bolder around me and my camera in food situations. But her mate still acts like a flashy male when it comes to defending turf.
Crows have some iridescence on their feathers that I think they can see better on each other than people can. I sometimes wonder if there are some markings that I am missing because of this that might show more sexual dimorphism. Oh! And I forgot to add, I think females have slightly wider hips for egg-bearing, so a slightly more waddled walk.
I've only been kicking it with crows since fall of 2020 but I seldom go a single day without at least some corvid time. And lots of reading, and learning from other crow-obsessionados.
Hey lookit that. I just coined a new term.
That's so interesting, thanks for sharing all of that. I think you're right about that iridescence but it's very subtle to my eye. Waddled walk, lol, I'm going to see if I can find some crows around here somewhere. I have to see the waddle walk in particular, see if I can tell the difference.
You know quite a bit for such a short time. Loved Momo! Can't believe how many almonds (?) she could pick up at once.
😂I like that.
I did see a cardinal today, hung out in tree near me. Have never been able to get a decent photo of them either. There's a few that hang around here.
yes, yes, spring comes with snow, at least here. And I already told you, but I'll do it again, every time I see crows I remember your photos.
🖤🖤🖤
Such a nice wonderful story in just 2 colours :)
Thank you!
magnifico!!😎
Thank you!!
Spring was briefly here in Colorado earlier this week but then winter sobered up and kicked it back into the ground. It's a good thing Jack Frost isn't a real person because if he was I would've beaten him to death a long time ago.
Here have yourself a very small slice of !PIZZA
Are you certain you would've won that match? He's a master of blizzardry.
🍕Wow thanks so much, can I get a thimble of beer to wash it down?
It probably would have been close seeing as how he's magical and all, but I'm younger and my vision is much better. I'd put the money on me if I were you.
!THIMBLE
I don't have any money.
Me neither. That's why I have to fight people.
It's a hard life.
Much appreciated, @brumest and @qurator team!
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