by Maureen | Aug 17, 2009 | Discoveries, Journal
The ubiquitous crow comes in a different color pattern here. These birds are often in the fields and grassy areas either along the canal or in the city parks. I was intrigued by their standard crow-shape with what is for me a non-standard, gray-brown collar and apron. It’s the Hooded Crow, Corvus cornix.
Since these crows are hard to get close to and I don’t have a better camera for bird-watching, I found this image on the web by Lars Kapelrud in Norway. Lars was kind enough to let me post this photo.
If you’d like to read more about the Hooded Crow, including watching a video of them in action, check out the post on AviBirds.com.
by Maureen | Jun 21, 2009 | Introspection, Journal
The 10-foot high French doors are wide open. (Are they called “Italian doors” since we’re in Italy?) We had a long, strong rain last night and the air is cool. The sky is blue. Someone in an apartment that faces this courtyard has the stereo playing Louis Armstrong singing “What a Wonderful World” and other American oldies that include the likes of Glenn Miller.
There are the sounds of an easy weekend morning: The tick of the gas range lighting; dishes pulled from cupboards for a meal; a not-well competing radio program. Occasionally, there is traffic noise, but surprisingly (and thankfully) it doesn’t color the sound here much. Air conditioning units add their hum, and above and beyond it all, I do hear the birds singing, here in the middle of Milano.
by Maureen | Jun 19, 2009 | Discoveries, Introspection, Journal, Quips
Up and at it early this morning. I awoke at about 4:30 but know I’m still affected by the time change and jet lag. We had quite a lightning storm last night with vociferous thunder and a cooling rain.
This morning, I heard the birds singing in the woodlot across the street from my apartment! I had wondered before coming if there would be enough trees around for nesting birds. Thrilled that there are. And the bird songs are all new to me. If I catch a glimpse I’ll make note of them for identification.
