Snowgirl and the crow

The temperature on December 24 registered between 10-20 degrees F outside with wind, ice and snow falling. On December 25 and 26, the temperatures didn’t rise much so our landscape remained white. By December 27 the sun arrived and the temperature rose to 42 degrees. It felt balmy. We walked about a mile, then realizing the snow was perfect for balls, returned home to make a snowgirl. She was adorned with a rhododendron leaf necklace and hair, standing on end, made of peanut buttered pinecones. She wasn’t the friendliest snowperson I have created, but I thought birds would fly over and enjoy their treat. None have. This morning we watched a group of crows eat seed scattered on the ground by the feeder we have used all fall, but they evidently were staying clear of her. One brave crow, however, kept looking at her and walking in circles about 8 feet away. Then it advanced a few inches, watching her steadily and retreated. This activity repeated itself for long extended minutes with the crow advancing slowly each time never taking its gaze from the snowgirl. When it was about 3 feet from her, it grabbed a pinecone fallen from her hair and flipped it farther away. It slowly backed up and began eating, looking up occasionally at the snowperson with anxious, wary eyes. The other crows in the group came over to see what the brave crow had recovered. They seem to enjoy the peanut butter, and I understand that it provides good nutrition. The internet explained to me that this was an excellent activity to undertake with a 5 year old…Not having room in the house for a Christmas tree this year, I decorated a yard tree with pinecones covered in peanut butter and birdseed to the delight of my inner 5 year old.