I never liked crows–until this year. Before the pandemic, I thought of them as unpleasant, even scary birds with raspy cries. The collective for crows is “murder,” which lends even more menace. Years ago crows killed baby songbirds in my back yard, dashing them to the ground from the nest. I spent the rest of the day crying.
After a couple of incidents this winter, I've concluded that I'd unconsciously adopted the successful survival strategies of the crow.
But in 2020, I got to know the crows along my neighborhood streets, almost as individuals. One bird in particular would greet me most mornings when I went out to get the newspaper, briefly leaving its territory on my driveway to waddle onto the sidewalk near me. On my frequent exercise walks, I would watch the murders gather on the streets to pick up seeds and then fly to the trees. Research confirmed that crows are among the most intelligent and versatile of birds. They will eat just about anything and switch between foraging, scavenging, and hunting.
So what do crows have to do with the pandemic year? In normal times, I behave like a forager and occasional scavenger–resourceful, patient, and not liking to draw a lot of attention to myself. I’ve acted more like the little finch that takes shelter in the large jade plant on my side patio. And certainly I hadn’t wanted to hunt. But, after a couple of incidents this winter, I’ve concluded that I’d unconsciously adopted the successful survival strategies of the crow. One silly incident occurred about two weeks ago.
For no apparent reason our cable provider started showing errors on our TV screens, which then froze. The messages said that the trouble was on their end and to be patient and keep trying to switch channels with the remote. After a couple of hours of trying, I went on the provider’s website, which indicated that all our connections were fine and suggested I try to refresh the entire system virtually using their software. When I proposed to my partner Dick that I go ahead and do this, he said absolutely not, that it was the provider’s responsibility.
I waited again, and by this time it was the following morning, and the TVs were still frozen. I just decided to take action, went back to the website, and refreshed the system. The TVs were up and running within minutes. Done! I realized that in the pandemic environment I was less willing to trust and wait, and more inclined to take action and assume risks, and be as flexible as the crow. Not enough seeds? No more patience: time to hunt.
The ultimate pandemic challenge, and one of the lowest points for me, was at the beginning of this year–the struggle to get a vaccination appointment. Once people in my tier were authorized to try, I approached the task as a forager and scavenger, observing the set of rules provided–which meant just waiting. After about a week, I realized this was going nowhere, and by questioning some rules and statements that turned out to be incorrect, I found I could try other sources and was able to get an appointment–more than two months down the road! I couldn’t find anything earlier. I even called the provider for the appointment I had, and after a 30-minute hold was told I was lucky to get it. They weren’t opening any more appointments.
At this point, friends and relatives began to organize spontaneously into “murders” to keep each other informed of new vaccination sites, appointments opening up, and the like. My sister-in-law, who is immunocompromised, was having no luck with appointments, and her health plan (which is now a major villain in California) was no help at all. Fortunately in all my checking I found a bunch of appointments had just opened up in her area, so I got on the phone with her and she had an appointment in two days. This happened again a few times with friends and relatives. I was thrilled to help others, but my own vaccination was months away. At one point I was the only person over 65 who I knew who hadn’t received their first dose, and I hit bottom. I cried for an entire day.
“What’s wrong with you?” Dick asked. “Why don’t you just wait?” I just couldn’t. There was too much chaos and who knew what would happen by the time my eventual appointment arrived?
That’s when I decided to hunt like a crow. For the next five days, about once every two hours except when I was sleeping, I logged on to any provider for which I qualified: Sutter, Stanford, Santa Clara county, CVS, etc, and searched for any place within 50 miles, short of an outdoor stadium, that would take me. Nothing. Finally, at 1:30 PM on a Friday, Santa Clara county opened three more vaccination centers, and instead of getting the message that there weren’t any appointments, the screen was populated. Three days later, by noon on a Monday morning, I had my first shot.
As I write, the appointment for my second shot is a week away, and chaos has continued in the Bay Area. Some people have had their second shot appointments canceled, so I check on the county website each day to be sure my slot is still there. If I had waited and accepted that original appointment for my first dose, it would have been for next week, and almost certainly would have been canceled. Even now, I’m formulating a backup plan for my second shot, just in case. If needed, I want to be ready to dive or pounce.
The pandemic will ease and the chaos will settle down eventually. At some point, will I and others return to more of our forager ways? I don’t know. It’s a delicate balance between “every person for themselves” and being too meek. I’m grateful for the example of the crow.
MarianI have recently retired from a marketing and technical writing and editing career and am thoroughly enjoying writing for myself and others.
Great essay, Marian. I love the way you describe the crow, then set up the comparison. It seems we’ve all had to adapt and be flexible this year. You’ve found your source in nature and given us a wonderful story in the process. Good luck with that second shot. Mine is scheduled for next week too.
Thanks, Betsy. One way or another we are getting through this. May your shot go well with minimal side effects!
As they say, “from your mouth to God’s ear”, Marian. Thanks – you too!
I love your hunting crow metaphor, Marian. It especially applies to shots. By being resourceful, most people I know over 65 have found a way to get vaccinated, but it wasn’t easy. I know CA is tougher then IL, but I am hopeful that supplies are increasing and people like teachers seem to be getting them now so schools can open.
It’s been a free-for-all here, Laurie, with some areas being a lot easier than others. Often it’s a matter of luck to snag and appointment. I think there is a good chance for teachers to have access to vaccinations within the next month or so.
Mare, you can be finch-like or crow-like as the need arises, though human nature is at the heart of your story. I think most of us have felt some level of frustration and impatience somewhere along the line in getting the vaccine. It’s hard to believe we got another Rover on Mars yet have run out of vaccines in some places. That said, things do seem to be moving along more smoothly now…hang in there, you’re almost at the finish line!
Thanks, Barb, you are right. Adaptability is the key this year. It feels good to know I’m near that finish line.
Wonderful and beautifully written Marian, I love your blend of science and poetry.
I have new-found respect for crows!
Thanks, Dana. All fall and winter there were so many crows in my neighborhood that I became curious about them. I knew they were smart and the more I read about them, the more impressed I was.
Speaking of birds, if you haven’t already, read THE BEAK OF THE FINCH by Jonathan Weiner.
Thanks for this info, Dana. I hadn’t been familiar with the book and will check it out–it’s right up my alley!
Marian, I love your finch and crow metaphor about your behavior. And I’m glad that by being crow-like you got an appointment for the vaccine. Dick saying “What’s wrong with you? Why don’t you just wait?” was not good advice for this situation, so I’m glad you ignored it. Wonderful story on so many levels!
Thanks, Suzy. To Dick’s credit, just this morning he told me I was right. This pandemic has been a time of self-reflection for a lot of people.
Wow, this is terrific. It’s TED talk material surely. You embrace crows with the wisdom of owls.
Thank you, Tom. Hadn’t thought of it as a TED talk, but that would be really fascinating. I love owls, especially because they make no sound when they fly, and appreciate their association with widsom.
I loved this piece, for several reasons, beginning with the fact that the pandemic has shaped me into someone who watches birds, tries to identify them at our feeder, etc. But also your story of seeking the vaccine, which is such a totem of our time. Just so you know, I am over 70 and just got my first at the start of March and will get second at start of April. So you’re not behind everyone!
Thanks, Dale, the birds have been a great gift to me this year. And you’re right, I did eventually discover people who were behind me in the vaccination process. There is a randomness about what happened, and I am becoming more comfortable with it, which admittedly is easier now that I at least have had my first dose.
Love the way you approached your dilemma. Crows presented your story with dark and light, threat and guide. Sorry to hear Bay Area is struggling so. Crows have become a totem animal for me as well. They’ve always been both harbingers and jokers, instigators as they were for you. I also watched fascinated during the pandemic’s initial airspace tranquility that crows became much more overtly sociable with each other. Around my quarantine world, they were constantly gathering and scattering, crowing and cackling the most involved conversations. Wonderful essay, Marian.
Thanks, Charles, I’ve observed the same behavior with crows in my area. My previous totem animal was the raccoon, many of which hung out in my back yard when I had a more rural house. In the Bay Area we recently had a series of incidents when a coyote, unprovoked, ran up to people and bit them. They finally caught and euthanized it. Wildlife are also impacted by this pandemic.