A vicious storm knocked out the power and the cell towers in my area last night. They’re still out. So I drove to the local library to use their wifi since they’re next door to the Sheriff’s Department and were first to get their power back on. There’s no one else around since it’s only 6 a.m. and the library doesn’t open for two more hours. So, I’m just sitting here, enjoying the deliciously cool air, the quiet, the last dregs of a cup of coffee and the joy of wireless internet, and the birds. The ravens to be exact.

There’s a congress of ravens (a flock of crows is called a murder, a flock of ravens is called a congress….go figure) in the parking lot next to the van. These are BIG birds, about the size of house cats. And smart! I just watched one pick up a Popsicle stick. It’s eerie….he walked up and down the sidewalk, picked up and seemed to check out several other sticks before deciding on the Popsicle stick. Once he found the Popsicle stick, and shook all the weeds and crap off of it, he walked to the end of the sidewalk and started digging in the soft mud at the end. Three other birds stood around watching him. He flipped something up, I couldn’t tell what, but they all dived at it - he got it and flew off, leaving the stick behind. It made me wish I had binoculars. I’d love to know what he was digging at.

I know crows and ravens are smart and they do use tools, but to actually see it happen!?! Wow. That and the pink, gold and baby blue sunrise made the power loss and a mostly sleepless night because of the heat and mugginess and traffic almost worth it.

There’s a mist rising through the trees, a woodpecker drilling for breakfast, Mourning Doves cooing somewhere in the tall grass, and a soft damp breeze blowing through the window of the van. Makes me want to crawl back into bed! Nothing earth shattering here. Just nature being nature and reminding me why I love living in a van!!