Feathers and Fungi: A Cheeky Love Letter to Crows and Autumn
Ah, crows. The tuxedo-clad, businesslike avian hustlers of the animal kingdom! I mean, have you ever seen a flock of crows land? It’s like watching an organised flash mob of the feathered world. They’re not flapping about aimlessly like pigeons—those feathered fluff balls that seem to be auditioning for some avant-garde dance performance. No, crows have a purpose; they’re like that one mate who shows up at the club ready to negotiate deals while you’re still trying to figure out which beverage to order. “Get your act together, mate!”
In fact, I’ll never forget the time my family planted some acorns on our farm and left them unprotected. What did we expect? It was like throwing a party with an open bar and not anticipating a crowd! Crows swooped in like they were at the supermarket on half-price day, digging up our freshly planted emerald hopes. But you know what? We weren’t disappointed! A handful survived, and what a joy it’s been this autumn—like a trip down memory lane to those good old nature tables from primary school. You remember them, right? The ones where you’d sift through bits of leaves and pinecones, feeling like a mini David Attenborough in the making.
So picture this: wandering through the woods at night, you find yourself staring at the ground, exercising those eye muscles that’ve been dormant for far too long. Suddenly, the earth transforms from mere ‘ground’ into a rich tapestry of life! You crouch and gaze in awe at what you thought was just a drab floor—weeds, leaves, but wait! There are mushrooms? Oh yes! A veritable buffet of chanterelles and inky caps! At this point, you’re on the verge of entering a trance, crouching down, dodging dog droppings as if they were grenades. Then, like a moment straight out of a comedy sketch, you start yelling, “Redcoats! To arms!” I mean, who else gets transported back in time while foraging?
Now, let’s talk about my newfound affinity for hazelnuts. I kneel there in wild delight, like an overenthusiastic child who’s just found their lost toy. “How is it possible I’ve been walking on a goldmine of hazelnuts for the last ten minutes?” It’s embarrassing, really! Then there are acorns—those beauties are rare, like the good Wi-Fi signal at your mate’s house when he forgets to pay the bill. But once you find them, it’s like winning the lottery! Albeit a lottery that never quite pays out but leaves you with a collection of tiny nutty dreams.
And let’s get scientific for a moment, shall we? Not every acorn is destined for greatness; you’ve got to test them! Yep, you heard me. A float test. If it floats, it’s got air trapped and is, well, *not viable*. It’s like those times you’ve been at a dinner party trying your hardest to seem cultured and suddenly realize you’ve been drinking floating bits of something instead of the actual drink. A new dinner party anecdote, perhaps? “Oh, let me tell you about pericarp, darling. It’s quite fascinating!” Cue the impressed gasps.
But what’s truly priceless about this whole experience is that it makes you itch for more nature. Who says you have to grow up out of the joys of muddy hands and acorn hunting? We should never have ‘grew out’ of nature tables! Just imagine—grown adults wading through woods, spotting treasures from the forest floor, laughing as crows cackle above us, happy to ridicule our antics.
So, here’s a cheeky thought: let’s abandon the boring statuses of adult life and start embracing our inner child. Crouch down, rummage about, and engage with the world around you. And maybe, just maybe, the crows will stop laughing long enough to join in on the fun.
Crows are truly remarkable creatures. They seem to possess an innate sense of purpose, which is particularly evident when you observe them landing en masse in the stubble of corn or grain fields during this time of year. Their presence is all business, a stark contrast to pigeons, whose flapping seems more aimless. While people often marvel at the stunning shapes created by starling murmurations, crows exude a vibe of determination and task-oriented hustle. In the eye of the beholder, starlings convey a sense of artistic flair, while crows embody the essence of organized effort, reminiscent of a bustling rush hour.
The crows have cleverly organized themselves onto the acorns we planted around the corners of my childhood farm, digging most of them up due to our failure to protect them properly. It feels a bit like leaving your car unlocked, only to discover your small change has vanished. What were we expecting? We certainly can’t be disappointed, though; a few of the acorns did manage to survive. This autumn has transformed into the most enjoyable one in recent memory, evoking warm nostalgia akin to revisiting the nature table from primary school. Each outing in the woods feels like a rediscovery of the simple joy of foraging.
Wandering through the countryside at night offers a unique experience – staring closely at the forest floor feels like awakening seldom-used muscles in the eyes. You’re deliberately searching for sustenance, and soon the once mundane ground becomes a vibrant canvas rich in color and life. It no longer appears to be just ‘ground’ or solely brown; it unfolds into a wondrous tapestry filled with character and spirit.
In October, the forest floor transforms into a rich tapestry of colors and textures. Alongside fallen leaves, mushrooms sprout—initially mistaken for litter but soon revealed as delectable chanterelles, inky caps, and wood blewits. Crouching down among the leaf litter, keenly aware of navigating past potential dog waste, I inhale deeply, as though drawing in the earth’s hidden antidepressants, and suddenly feel an exhilarating sense of primal connection to nature. While immersing myself in the moment, I envision the distant sound of “Redcoats!” and imagine two figures on horseback needing to be warned about an approaching threat to the village. Quickly, though, it is the joyful discovery of hazelnuts that wrenches me back to the present. I realize belatedly that I had been unknowingly walking over a hidden treasure trove of hazelnuts for the last five minutes, each husk opened revealing more delightful finds scattered across the forest floor.
The search for acorns tends to be more elusive since they get gobbled up quite promptly each season. After all, oaks don’t produce acorns every year; perhaps they’re opting for a year of self-care, announced through witty Instagram updates. However, after some diligent searching, we discover one acorn, and before long, we are accumulating a respectable stash. But not all acorns are created equal; it’s vital to test them for soundness to determine whether they have the potential to grow into viable trees. The children gather around the sink, eagerly dropping each acorn into water. Those that sink indicate they have promise; those that float reveal an air pocket trapped beneath the pericarp, disqualifying them from vitality. If you find yourself inviting me to dinner, prepare for some casual yet impressive conversation featuring the term “pericarp.” I’ll introduce it with the confidence of someone well-versed in botanical dialogue, not just a newcomer to the concept.
The bounty of acorns, hazelnuts, and a few crab apples marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in our lives—one where I envision spending my time discovering treasures on the ground and collecting them as reminders of nature’s beauty. It’s a pity that we often ‘grow out’ of nature tables, dismissing them as a mere childhood novelty. In reality, we should continue to explore and enjoy the wonders of nature throughout our lives, all while the crows observe with their characteristic, raucous laughter.
**Interview: Embracing the Essence of Autumn with Crows and Foraging Adventures**
**Host:** Welcome, everyone! Today, we have a special guest with us—our very own nature enthusiast who has a whimsical take on crows and the joy of autumn foraging. Thanks for joining us!
**Guest:** Thank you for having me! I’m excited to dive into the delightful world of crows and our experiences in the wild!
**Host:** Let’s start with crows. You describe them as “the tuxedo-clad, businesslike avian hustlers” of the animal kingdom. What makes them stand out to you during this season?
**Guest:** You know, watching crows is like witnessing an organized performance! Their purposeful movements are a striking contrast to birds like pigeons. This time of year, they venture out of their territories searching for food, which makes their antics even more fascinating. It’s like they’re on a mission, and you can’t help but admire their hustle!
**Host:** It sounds like those missions can lead to unexpected surprises. You shared a funny anecdote about the acorns on your family farm. Can you tell us more about that?
**Guest:** Absolutely! We planted a bunch of acorns and, to our surprise, crows swooped in faster than you can say “open bar.” It turned our simple planting into a real-life comedic scenario! We didn’t mind too much though—the thrill of seeing the ones that survived was worth it. It brought back such nostalgic memories of foraging as a child, just like those nature tables from school!
**Host:** Nostalgia for childhood adventures is a wonderful sentiment. You also talked about your nighttime foraging experiences. What do you find so magical about wandering through the woods?
**Guest:** Wandering through the woods at night is like reawakening a dormant sense of wonder. When you slow down and really look around, the forest floor transforms into something alive and vibrant! You discover hidden treasures like mushrooms and hazelnuts, and it’s exhilarating! I’ve even caught myself yelling “Redcoats! To arms!” when I’m in a particularly jovial mood. It’s all about embracing that childlike spirit!
**Host:** And it seems you’ve found joy in the simplest of treasures. How do you feel about adulting versus immersing oneself in nature?
**Guest:** Oh, if only we could all abandon the burdens of adulthood once in a while! There’s something liberating about crouching down and rummaging through the woods. It’s a reminder that we should never grow out of our love for nature and exploration. Let’s not take life too seriously—let’s find joy in the little things and maybe even invite those crows to join us!
**Host:** That’s a lovely thought! Lastly, what message do you want to share with our viewers about engaging with nature this autumn?
**Guest:** Just get out there! Embrace your inner child, look closely at the world around you, and enjoy the richness of autumn! Whether it’s foraging for acorns, marveling at the crows, or simply appreciating the beauty of changing leaves—nature is calling, and it’s time to answer!
**Host:** Thank you so much for this delightful conversation! Your enthusiasm for nature is truly infectious, and I can’t wait for us all to feel that autumn magic!
**Guest:** Thank you! Happy autumn, everyone! Get out there and have some fun with nature!
