Wednesday’s Photos
Week 3 of Bud Development Study
It is with great regret that spring in our area has so far been coolish during the days and downright chilly during the nights. Consequently, our flowers have been especially slow in showing off their colours. Normally, our cherry trees would be showing off their splendidly shining spring dresses. Yet, their buds are not even swelling yet. My apologies to all my faithful followers that there was not much change in the bud development! Today was the first warm day, and I was able to transplant my lettuce seedlings in our raised garden beds. This was the first day that I was working outdoors with my coat off. If the weather continues like this. the buds will finally burst open in week 4. Enjoy.
Rose Lilac Magnolia Azalia
Bonus Video
One of our sons living in Victoria, BC sent me a video that he recorded in his backyard with a crow producing some strange noises I had never heard before. Perhaps some of you specialists of the animal kingdom can tell me, what this mysterious call is all about.
The Peter and Gertrud Klopp Family 
Happy to see the transition in these pictures. I’m sure you will have many more great pictures in the coming days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There should be more noticeable changes very soon.
LikeLike
Kann nichts anderes als Weibchensuche gewesen sein.
Bei Vögeln kenne ich mich ja nicht aus, aber heute gab es auch eine Krähe in einem der Baumwipfel, die herzerschütternd krächzte. Sie flog dann weiter. 30 m weiter dasselbe Verhalten. Und dann noch einmal. Dreimal konnte ich ihren Umzug verfolgen.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ich glaube du hast recht mit der Weibchensuche. Auf jeden Fall nicht nachahmenswert unter den Menschen. Dann schon lieber gesungen: Reich mir die Hand mein Leben.
LikeLike
Ja das gefaellt mir.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My rhododendrons are also the same, no change …
Last night was the first night in weeks without frost, it was never much, but still. Today was the warmest day so far this year.
It is strange, winter was mild, and then it got cold in March … “the times they are a-chahanging … “
LikeLiked by 1 person
We had the same weather pattern this winter. I guess we had to pay a price for being spoiled with a mild winter.
LikeLike
I have never heard a crow sound like that. Maybe he (she) is lonely. We have lots of crows down here but you never see just one. If you see a crow anywhere there are probably 10 or 20 nearby!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Please read shoreacres comment on this mysterious call. A German commentator wrote that the crow was looking for a mate. I guess we humans would not have much luck with this kind of unpleasant sound. Haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So ganz unbekannt ist mir das nicht, lieber Peter, ich denke auch, dass es entweder um Partnersuche geht oder um andere Informationen … Krähen leben ja nicht allein, sondern immer in größeren Verbänden. Das konnte ich auf dem alten Berg sehr gut beobachten, wobei ich ihre Infos oft nicht verstanden habe 😉
liebe Grüße
Ulli
LikeLike
Peter, good to know you could transplant your lettuce. It must not be too cold. We have lots of snow but it gets above freezing in the day and we get temporary lakes from melting snow. Hopefully, it will stay warmer for you. Enjoy springtime!
LikeLike
One of our sons living in Victoria, BC
transplant my lettuce seedlings
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here you go — on this page from the Cornell birding site, they have a recording of that same call. It’s the third one down. There’s a little explanation of the various crow sounds, too. I’ve never heard this one — I had no idea crows would “do that”!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for the very informative comment!!!
LikeLike
Wow, there really wasn’t much change in the last week. But isn’t there something especially sweet in the anticipation? It’s been very cool here also—still wearing scarves, gloves, hats, and winter coats.
Great shots, Peter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let us hope that we can put our winter clothes away soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps the crow is saying “I’ve somehow swallowed a wind-up toy” ?
LikeLike
Can’t wait for all those plants to continue to sprout and eventually develop into beautiful blooming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder whether the crow’s call was a reaction to your son, who was close enough to make that video.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There have been quite a few opinions expressed in the comments. But they are speculations about this peculiar call and your assessment is just as good as all the others until an expert on crows can answer the question.
LikeLike
It’s been warm here Peter and although our buds were on a similar track, most of ours have exploded over the last few weeks. I guess that shows what a little cold weather can do.
Magpies and crows are thriving here, and I really enjoy watching their antics and listening to the noises they make when I’m working outside. I’ve done a little research on crows, which are audibly known mostly for their caw. I’ve read that juveniles and adults use a clicking or clucking sound when they want attention, either from the parents or another adult crow. Maybe that’s the case with your son’s visitor? Looking forward to your next bud photo series!
LikeLike
Ah, the anticipation grows with the warming of the weather! And what an unusual sound for the crow to make – such a lonesome sound.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps the other comments are right in saying that the crow was looking for a mate.
LikeLiked by 1 person