Kaili

1. There is often a large roost just on the edge of town starting in early winter. It is a small group of trees near a field, but also near the marina. I would imagine they pick this spot for access to a variety of food sources. Also we have a lot of Great Horned Owls on the island, but they are more often seen and heard in the woods farther out. I would imagine, like was presented in the lesson, that the crows use the urban environment and lights to stay safe from the owls. 2. I get really excited when I see large groups of crows coming to roost. I am always curious what sorts of dynamics are at play, what relationships are forming, what is being communicated etc.

1. There is a family of crows that often hang out in my neighborhood. There are probably around 9 individuals. I usually see them foraging together in the road, and they are quite loud and excitable. Other times I will observe 1 or 2 of them watching me in the garden, and they will be very quiet, they will then fly away as if to report to the others. 2. They are so smart and social. I once saw 3 crows playing with a dead rat in town. One would fly up high with the rat, drop it, and then another would swoop in, catch it and fly up. Most birds I observe seem to either be looking for food, staking territory, or wooing a mate. Crows, ravens and other corvids really seem to value doing things just for the sheer fun of it. 3. We can take steps to make sure there is no standing water in our yards, as well as other measures to decrease mosquito populations.

It was interesting how thorough they are, and how they had the ability to track whole families. I am curious as to if the wing tags and radio antennas impact the crows' behavior.

1. I would tell them that all the chipmunks and squirrels running around the yard are the bigger culprits. I would also refer them to the chart shown in the lesson if they were interested. 2. I have seen a lot of crows in town (Langley, WA) Usually hanging around close to where people are dining outside. I have also seen a lot of them in particular trees. They seem to have their favorites. It is the wrong time of year for nesting. 3. We have both Ravens and crows where I live. The crows are mostly in town, and the Ravens farther out. Where our house is we are lucky enough to have both grace our yard. The crows usually come in large groups and often seem to be up to something, as the ravens are often just 2-3 individuals. I do love the raven vocalizations and wing beats. 4. We have lots of owls in our area, I would imagine they benefit from the nests crows build. I know we benefit from having the crows keep the rodents in check. The crows are also pretty good about letting everyone know if there is an eagle in the area.

Originally my goal was to upgrade my camera so that I would be able to capture clearer images of birds and their behaviors. My current camera, a Canon Powershot SX510 HS, is great for photographing friends and the occasional stationary bird, but I was ready to upgrade to something that at the very least, had a viewfinder. However, as I went through the exercise of looking at other people's photos and noting what gear they used, I started to remember what the whole point of it is, at least for me. I want to make really beautiful pictures that showcase birds and wildlife in their daily lives that inspire people to care about the existence of these creatures and the wild places they live. I am on a tight budget, but I keep getting drawn to images created using the Nikon D850. I love how versatile this camera is and how it captures light, color, and detail. I also love that it is durable and weather resistant. I spend a lot of time in wild places, and though I am careful with my gear, sometimes things can get a bit roughed up. I am continuing to research to try and find something cheaper, but that could achieve similar results possible with the use of fancier lenses. Other than my current little cannon, my photography experience has all been with 35 mm film cameras (I have been really dragging my feet as far as going digital). I do worry that some of the DSLR cameras may be to high-tech for me. Do any of you know of a simple and durable digital camera that makes nice images without all the bells and whistles? I don't need Bluetooth or wifi or some of the other features. I definitely would like to get one good zoom lens in the 150-600 range. I would eventually like to get a fixed lens with a teleconverter as well, but that may have to wait.  I would also like to find a tripod and gimbal head that can pack down very compact. Mountainsmith makes a nice lumbar pack for carrying cameras and a few lenses, as well as some other packs that can carry a bit more. This class, as well as reading the discussions of fellow students, has been very insightful and inspiring. Thank you!