Crows soar and I sit

I was reading on the deck this afternoon. I heard crows talking.  I looked up and I saw crows soaring.  I called to them.  They are curious birds so they circled and investigated and stayed for quite a while.   What you need to know is - well - I talk to animals.  And they talk back.  It actually began with cows.  We lived near the Applegate River in Grants Pass next to a pasture that allowed cows to roam.  I used to go up to the fence and "Moooooooooooo" really loudly (my children were totally embarrassed) and the cows would mooooooooo
back.  We carried on really creative conversations in those days.  I have no idea what I was saying and and they had no idea what I was saying - but the sound was familiar enough for them to respond. 

I have done that again - actually many times.  Only currently - it's crows that I attract.  Over the years, while living in Cathedral Hills, we have had many "Murder of Crows" come for a visit.  Actually, almost every night they gather in one of the trees in our forest.  One night I decided to call to them.  Oh, my - about 50 crows circles our house and checked me out.  Having successfully called a "murder of crows" out of the sky - I continue to speak with the birds now and then.

For a while, this totally freaked out my partner.  "You have no idea what you are saying to them" he would chide.  Okay - I know that - but somehow, on some level, we are communicating.  They are curious about me and I am curious about them.  Finally, after a few years of my calling to the crows in the evening, John got used to it and sort of liked what I was doing.  I could get them to circle the house over and over and then finally land in a nearby tree.  Then they would talk some more.  Crows carry on very excited conversations. 

So, today when I saw a few crows playing in the wind - for a while I just watched.  They were laughing.  Really laughing.  And calling to one another to come out and play.  Finally, I had to tell John.  At about the same time I was heading for the house - he opened the door and was heading for the deck.  I pointed to the crows and after a while he said, "why don't you call them down."  So I did.

This time my call was different.  I tried to emulate their laughing.  They were clearly playing in the afternoon wind and sun.  There were about eight of them total.  Fewer than the "murder of crows" I am used to - but more familiar and friendly.  I began with my usual call and then I shifted into a laughter call.  They circled and soared.  They stayed with me for a really long time. 

John says God allows birds to fly because they will eat anything.  I think if I could fly - I might eat anything too.  And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  (At least for now.)