{"id":25576,"date":"2020-05-18T00:03:15","date_gmt":"2020-05-18T08:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/?p=25576"},"modified":"2020-05-18T01:34:16","modified_gmt":"2020-05-18T09:34:16","slug":"when-corvids-go-rogue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/2020\/05\/when-corvids-go-rogue.html","title":{"rendered":"When Corvids Go Rogue"},"content":{"rendered":"

By SUE COLETTA<\/a><\/p>\n

The following is a true story. While reading, take note of the bracketed MRUs [Motivation-Reaction Units in red]<\/span> and scene\/sequel structure in parenthesis (in blue),<\/span> and my unrest can double as a TKZ lesson. \ud83d\ude42 We\u2019ve talked about these subjects<\/a> before. Industry professionals write with the MRU (also called action\/reaction) construction without conscious thought. For a new writer, learning this rhythm and flow can be a game changer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

For the last five days I\u2019ve been in the middle of a crow verse raven war. I love both species<\/a>, but I also understand why they\u2019re fighting. Doesn\u2019t mean I have to like it.<\/p>\n

It all started last Wednesday when a vicious red-tailed hawk chased Shakespeare \u2014 the runt of my beloved crow family<\/a> \u2014 past the dome window in my living room [Motivation]<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Big mistake. No way could I not get involved (Scene Goal)<\/span>.<\/p>\n

So, I bolted outside to help [Reaction]<\/span>. Allan, Shakespeare\u2019s older brother, was with her. Both seemed exhausted [Motivation]<\/span> (Scene Conflict)<\/span>.<\/p>\n

I called for Poe, their mother [Reaction]<\/span>. She called back, but she wasn\u2019t nearby [Motivation]<\/span>. I called again and again, each time panic rising in my tone [Reaction]<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Poe soared into the yard, landed on \u201cher\u201d tree branch, and gazed down at me [Motivation]<\/span>. I pointed over to the left and screamed, \u201cHawk! The babies are in danger!\u201d [Reaction]<\/span> (Scene Disaster)<\/span><\/p>\n

And Poe took off in that direction. Seconds later, a chorus of caws erupted in the treetops. It\u2019s not smart to anger a mother crow \u2014 any crows, for that matter<\/a>. Perched atop the tallest conifer, Poe called for the rest of her murder.<\/p>\n

The hawk froze, like, \u201cWhat the heck\u2019s going on? Did that human call for backup?\u201d<\/p>\n

Within moments, the rest of Poe’s family soared in from all directions and attacked. [Motivation]<\/span> I stood motionless, awestruck by the intelligence of my black beauties and the bond we’ve developed [Reaction]<\/span> (Scene Reaction)<\/span>. For any hawk lovers out there, s\/he\u2019s alive. At least, I assume so. Angry caws trailed into the distance as the crows escorted the hawk out of their territory. If you\u2019re wondering, Shakespeare and Allan flew away unscathed. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Later that same day, my husband and I had just finished lunch when a second commotion exploded outside [Motivation]<\/span>.<\/p>\n

I had no idea my day would take such an ominous turn.<\/p>\n

When we rushed into the yard [Reaction]<\/span>, I found a raven with an injured wing [Motivation]<\/span>. My heartstrings snapped in two [Reaction]<\/span>. On one hand, I refused to sit by and let that raven die. On the other, I couldn’t blame Poe and Edgar for protecting their chicks. Ravens tend to target a crow\u2019s nest for an easy meal.<\/p>\n

How could I be angry over the corvids acting on instinct? If an intruder was sniffing around my home, nothing could stop me from defending my family.<\/p>\n

Even so, I couldn\u2019t let the raven die. I\u2019m just not built that way.<\/p>\n

After four hours(!) of trekking through the woods after \u201cRave,\u201d I came to the conclusion that I\u2019d never catch her (Scene Dilemma)<\/span>. But I had to do something (Scene Decision)<\/span>.<\/p>\n

I called New Hampshire Fish & Game (Scene Goal)<\/span>. A large part of their job is to help wounded animals, right? Well, not exactly. Much to my dismay, their \u201crules\u201d don\u2019t apply to corvids [Motivation]<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The officer\u2019s response infuriated me [Reaction]<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince we\u2019re talking about corvids,\u201d he said, \u201cit\u2019s best to let nature take its course. We don\u2019t respond to these types of calls because crows and ravens aren\u2019t endangered. Besides, there\u2019s plenty of them in the state.\u201d (Scene Conflict)<\/span> [Motivation]<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s plenty of people in the state, too, but I\u2019d still try to save a human life.\u201d [Reaction]<\/span> #BlackFeatheredLivesMatter!<\/p>\n

Needless to say, the phone call rolled downhill from there. I was on my own (Scene Disaster)<\/span>. My biggest problem? How to sneak food to Rave without upsetting Poe. Which is a lot more difficult than it sounds.<\/p>\n

I waited for Poe and the gang to make their daily rounds in search of intruders within their domain. In a country setting, a crow\u2019s territory stretches for several acres.<\/p>\n

Once caws trailed into the distance [Motivation]<\/span>, I bustled up the walkway\u2014my gaze scanning the sky\u2014headed toward the woods where the raven was hiding out [Reaction]<\/span>. As soon as I\u2019d hustled halfway across the dirt road, Poe rocketed out of a nearby tree [Motivation]<\/span>.<\/p>\n

I tried this all damn day. And every single time she busted me. I flung up my hands and tried to reason with her (Scene Reaction)<\/span> [Reaction for MRU, too]<\/span>. \u201cListen, Poe. The raven\u2019s no longer a threat. Can\u2019t you please \u2014 please<\/em> \u2014 leave her alone long enough for the wing to heal?\u201d<\/p>\n

That didn\u2019t go over well (Scene Dilemma)<\/span> [Motivation]<\/span>.<\/p>\n

I tried again (Scene Decision)<\/span>. \u201cTell ya what. If you let the raven heal, I\u2019ll reward you with a juicy steak.\u201d [Reaction]<\/span><\/p>\n

Better, but a little more convincing was in order. [Motivation]<\/span> (Scene Goal)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, how \u2019bout you two come to an understanding? You\u2019ll leave her alone if she promises not to go after the chicks once she\u2019s airborne.\u201d [Reaction]<\/span><\/p>\n

Poe cocked her head, as if to say, \u201cYou can\u2019t be serious. That\u2019s not how this game is played.\u201d [Motivation]<\/span> (Scene Conflict)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine! Then you\u2019re just gonna have to get comfortable with me feeding her. I refuse to abide by your stupid rules.\u201d (Scene Decision)<\/span> And I stormed off. [Reaction]<\/span><\/p>\n

Not my finest moment. Whatever. The neighbors already call me \u201cthat crazy crow lady,\u201d so if anyone saw me arguing with Poe it wouldn\u2019t even faze \u2019em.<\/p>\n

As darkness rolled in, I lost track of the raven. There wasn\u2019t any more I could do but pray she survived the night.<\/p>\n

First thing Thursday morning, guess who\u2019s waiting for breakfast? [Motivation]<\/span> I brought out the leftovers from a roasted chicken [Reaction]<\/span> (Scene Goal)<\/span>. The raven grabbed the carcass by the spine and hopped toward the woods. A few feet away she must\u2019ve thought better of it. Stealing the whole thing could paint an even bigger bullseye on her back. Rave tore the chicken down the middle, stuffed one half in her beak, and left the rest on Poe\u2019s rock.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t see Rave the rest of the day. (Scene Conflict)<\/span><\/p>\n

On Friday night a tornado-like storm hit our area, complete with 50 mph winds, downpours, and lightning strikes. [Motivation]<\/span> (Scene Disaster)<\/span> If the raven survived, it\u2019d be a miracle.<\/p>\n

Eagle-eyed on the woods the next morning, I waited for hours as sunbeams speared across the grass. My beloved crows arrived on time. But no raven. Did Rave perish in the storm? In front of the window I wore a path in the hardwood floors. (Scene Reaction)<\/span> [Reaction for MRU, too]<\/span><\/p>\n

Time slogged. [Motivation]<\/span><\/p>\n

About 10 a.m. I peeked out the window one last time before hitting the keyboard [Reaction]<\/span>. And there stood Rave, well-rested, hungry, and disappointed to find the rock empty [Motivation]<\/span>. The millisecond I stepped on the deck with a fresh plate of raw bacon [Reaction]<\/span>, Poe and the gang emerged from surrounding trees [Motivation]<\/span> (Scene Dilemma)<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Uh-oh, now what? [Reaction]<\/span><\/p>\n

While I weighed my options, the crows scolded the raven from all directions. They dared not attack her, though. I have a strict \u201cno fighting\u201d policy, and they know it.<\/p>\n

Thick tension engulfed the yard. [Motivation]<\/span><\/p>\n

To create a diversion, I tossed half the bacon in the woods and half on Poe\u2019s rock [Reaction]<\/span> (Scene Decision)<\/span>. Which seemed to satisfy everyone. The saga, however, continues\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By SUE COLETTA The following is a true story. While reading, take note of the bracketed MRUs [Motivation-Reaction Units in red] and scene\/sequel structure in parenthesis (in blue), and my unrest can double as a TKZ lesson. \ud83d\ude42 We\u2019ve talked … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,5024,28,1293,4375,5423,1531],"tags":[3520,3521,5725,4277,3518],"class_list":["post-25576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-amwriting","category-writerslife","category-writetip","category-writetips","category-writing-2","category-writingcommunity","category-craft","tag-amwriting","tag-writetip","tag-corvids","tag-sue-coletta","tag-writing-craft"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25576"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25576\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25590,"href":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25576\/revisions\/25590"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/killzoneblog.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}