Lessons from the Crows

By Karin Konstantynowicz

     I live along the crow line.  Every evening, just as the sun goes down, thousands of crows fly over my house on their way to a roosting spot.  I pay a lot of attention to crows.  They are incredibly clever and social.       I don’t know about you, but the crows in my neighbourhood are very noisy these days.  Sometimes, they warn about a wandering raccoon or a hunting cat.  Sometimes, they seem to be in conversation with each other about important crow matters. And sometimes, they coach their fledglings the ways of the world. 

     One morning, their cawing woke me early. Very early.  Two crows were sitting on a telephone line, just outside my bedroom window.  Mama Crow was trying to teach the young one a lesson.  One he wasn’t too keen on learning.  With his creaky squawk, it seemed to be saying, I don’t want to.  The young one’s mouth was open, red, waiting for the mother to put in a morsel, but she wasn’t having any of it.  Every time baby made noise, Mama’s beak poked right at the point where the tail meets the body.  She kept at it, until the young one finally obeyed.

     Satisfied she watched as baby made a jump up from one power line to another.  And then, the two of them flew off.

     Nature and its wonderful teachings certainly provided a backdrop for the students of Capilano University. Inspired by the 2013 Heart Mind Conference, three documentary makers attended the conference and created these short films. Take a look yourself. And let us know how mindfulness and nature is inspiring you this summer!