The "The Caw Of The Crows" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sunday and I'm on my way out the driveway with my cat to get the morning paper.  We stop part-way to observe the commotion across the street in my neighbor's driveway.  There sat three black crows ripping my neighbor's newspaper to shreds.  Section by section they picked apart the paper as I watched intently.  My cat sat next to me on the driveway watching the noisy birds cawing to one another as they methodically ruined the paper.  It was as if they knew what they were after.  Coupons for bird seed?  Story about the canons at nearby Park City Mall being activated to keep the crows away?  

Front page of a supplement telling of the art show.

Finally, one of them picked up a section of the paper and the three flew into the nearby trees where hundreds of other crows were nesting this time of the year.  Didn't think much of it until I began reading my paper and saw a magazine section that featured a big black crow.  I'm not lying!  

One of many art pieces.  This one was by Deborah Diana.

The "Entertain- ment Lancaster" supplement featured a big black crow telling about an art show that would open soon at the library situated behind my neighbor's house.  Now what are the chances of something like that happening?   Well, I did some research and found that the brain size of the black crow, in relation to body mass, is equal to that of great apes and dolphins, and only slightly lower than humans.  And, that isn't just the black crow's brain size, but their cognitive abilities as well.  

Another of my favorites painted by Sydney
Herr, a 12th grader at Donegal HS.

Many researchers find the black crow to be among the most intelligent of all animals.  But, there is no way they knew about the story in the paper about the black crow art show in the library across the street!!  Did they?  I did give my neighbor a call and give him a heads up about his paper and told him he may want to call and have another one delivered.  Then today I made a stop at the library to view the art show.  It was titled: Lancaster County's 2nd Annual "All Crow" Community Art Show and featured paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics in three different rooms as well as the lobby and fireplace area of the library.  One display case in the lobby featured ceramics from Manheim Township High School where I taught until retiring in 1999.  

Entire display of work from Manheim Twp. HS.

The annual event was started last year by a group called Crows "R" Us, a small flock of crow enthusiasts.  Many local artists placed art in the show with the hopes of selling their artwork.  Three local high schools submitted artwork.  I enjoyed all the artwork and was amazed how the black crow was featured in the many pieces.  I can still remember Alfred Hitchcock's movie "The Birds" and how scary it was even in black and white.  I must admit that the black crows are a pain as they roost on the many trees I have around my property.  The noise at times is deafening.  But, one day I will awake and they will be gone, moving to a new locale to begin their routine all over again.  And, possibly searching for another publication to find and dissect.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Another favorite titled Keeper of the Sun by Page
Baxter.  It was for sale for $200.