u/plonspfetew

I've known him and his mate for a little more than a year. I named them Soot and Ash, because Ash is leucistic while Soot was entirely pitch black. The two had their own territory, which remained largely undisturbed by other crows.

I noticed Soot walking around with a hanging wing last Thursday. It was evident that he wasn't able to fly. He remained in the small westernmost part of his territory, which is separated by water from the rest. I've only seen Ash in the other part of the territory ever since.

I called a rehabber and was told I'd have to catch him myself if I wanted them to come pick him up. So I tried. I went to him three times a day, every day. Unfortunately, he was more timid than usual and disappeared under dense bushes whenever he saw me. I lost hope of catching him, but still went every day to at least leave some food for him.

Today I went to bring him some more scrambled eggs and saw him lying by the water. It looked like another animal had killed him but hadn't eaten him.

I don't know what this will mean for Ash, but I hope she'll be okay. I haven't seen her today.

Soot loved cashews. Ever since I offered him his first cashew, he ignored peanuts at first. Only when it became clear that I didn't have any cashews on me would he pick up a peanut.

Last autumn and winter, Soot liked to pose for me on a small bridge pillar. I have a photo of him here. He almost seemed to know what he was doing, as he would only ever fly up there when I was holding a camera. He waited patiently until I took a few photos. He deserved the cashews afterwards.

I will miss Soot.

You know what you did.

Gerald had explained it to his brother. He had explained it to his therapist. He had explained it to his neighbour. The bird in the mirror had been interfering in his marriage for years. Nobody had taken this seriously. Gerald found this frustrating.

Doug had taken up screaming into the void as a coping mechanism. The void had asked him twice to stop.

Stevo's divorce was finalised on a Friday. He didn't have to be anywhere till Tuesday.

One of my crows is dead

Peregrine telling me to live long and prosper 🖖 🖤🤍💛

Dave had always wanted to skate, he said. He had spent forty minutes in the shop talking to someone called Brody. His kids had left their phones unmuted just in case.

Example of why how skinny/fat a bird looks is not a good field mark...

Alan had joined a pottery class after the divorce. He'd made seven bowls so far. His kids didn't know what to do with the bowls.

Sandra kept the house. The house had air conditioning. Gerald has a fan he bought in 2003 that makes a noise.

Linda had made certain arrangements

Brian had booked a trip. Solo, three weeks, Southeast Asia. His kids had helped him download the apps he'd need and tried not to worry.

The divorce had led Vivienne to Wicca. It had also led her to a new wardrobe, a drum circle, and opinions about the moon. Her kids were supportive, she said.

Elvis had left the building. He lost it in the settlement.

Deborah had toned it down for seventeen years. She was done toning it down.

Do people take off their 'missing pet' posters once the pet is found?

"You've changed, Walter." She took the kids and went to her mother's. He hadn't known what to say. You don't just come back from the front with a medal for gallantry and go back to being a simple park pigeon. The sky had changed.

Greg's kids had noticed he seemed better lately. Greg had mentioned his friend with the very good garden. The kids had not followed up on the garden.

𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓓𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓮. 𝓕𝓾𝓬𝓴 𝓸𝓯𝓯.

Marge and Connie had been coming to this sauna for thirty years. Five husbands between them. They had opinions about this. You were going to hear them.