Surviving winter for a crow can be tough. I could equate their hard work to humans getting busy this time of year. However, if we had to live on our wits like they do we would come in a sad second.  They are out there every day turning over leaves and observing activity that might land them a meal.

Down by the water’s edge in Lincoln Park on the back side of Coleman Pool (the only saltwater pool in Seattle) I encountered this family of crows. My first view of them was the watcher. He was perched in a great spot – on a flag pole.

You see this is a pretty busy park with a lot of people traffic flowing by here. Not missing a beat this guy is keeping his eye on all of us to see if we drop a snack.

Then between this photo and the next he flew off towards the pool wall. There he landed on the bright blue pool slide structure. His partner in crime showed up moments later.  They blend in with the trees so look closely at the far left corner. One is on the pillar and the other is on the door arch.

Nothing like having a buddy to watch your back. These two sat close and kept everything around them under their crow black eyes. Something got their attention and one of them gave the crow caw out. This was a warning or an alert that something was a brewing.

Now you ask who is the boy or the girl here? I am not sure and at first thought it was the cawing crow. Then the upper guy who has the upper advantage seemed to have puffier and blacker head feathers.

Not sure who is who actually. What was I thinking? Can’t tell them apart nor can I tell what sex they are.  Adds to the mystery does it not?

Now for the freaky part of the winter crow story. I started thinking about the peanuts in my bag. Yes in my mind I thought about getting them out and offering my black wonders a bit of protein to help them thru their day.

Bam!!  Before I could even do that one of the two crows flew over to the bench I was standing next to and landed. He/she was only few feet away looking at me.

What just happened? They read my mind? Now there is another explanation. I have fed the crows at Lincoln Park peanuts before. However, it has been months and I mean many months.

Another explanation is  they are part of my Ocean View Crow Murder who I feed regularly. Perhaps one of the birds knows me from there or the crow newspaper in the area has my mug shot on it. Whatever way you look at it they either read my mind or remember me from many months ago.

Then the feeding began. They were actually polite to each other. When I give out peanuts I try to make sure every body gets one. Often there is an alpha bird who will gobble up as many has he can get in his craw.  Not here. They each got one and let then let the next bird have one.

As they flew away to crack their treat open I went to a picnic table around the corner. Then one of them came back. No fear again. He was within 5 feet of me giving me the “Cough up another one of those Peanuts” look.  Of course I obeyed!!