The Origins of Dunkin' Donuts

Crows. Crows invented Dunkin' Donuts! OK, so technically they didn't create Dunkin' Donuts, but I think they may have been responsible for the concept of dunking bread products into liquids in order to soften them up before consuming them.

Several crows hang around our house, as they know I'm good for handouts of bread crusts and leftover sandwiches, among other culinary delights. I'm fairly confident it's not a murder of crows, just one or two pair of crows, perhaps mates? Anyhow, I recently cleaned out the little sandbox in our backyard, and Nik partially filled it with water. He's so helpful!

I noticed the crows landing on the sandbox, and assumed they were drinking or even bathing in it. But then I watched as one of them dropped a chunk of bread into the water, and then tore off a piece and ate it! And it dawned on me that here are these crows, taking chunks of dried/stale bread, and dipping them into water to soften them up in order to consume them. I'll be damned.

But then again, it shouldn't come as a huge shock, as I have previously read that crows are rather intelligent, and can even recognize individual faces on humans. I suppose I just thought it was cool to see these crows in action, doing something rather ordinary that I otherwise may have overlooked in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Admiral! There be owls here!

OK, so in Star Trek IV it was whales, not owls. But if I heard whales tonight, that means they can now fly, or the west coast is underwater...

A couple of nights ago, I was walking Jennie and heard some owls calling from the trees just down the road from my neighborhood. Very soft "hoo-hoo" type calls, but very much audible as there was no road noise to interfere right then. I thought that was pretty cool.

Tonight, as Jennie and I were almost home (and in roughly the same spot as the other night), I heard what I assume was an owl screeching. It was flying around, as the sound came from several different locations. Somehow, that was even cooler than hearing them go "hoo-hoo."

I guess it's time to read up on the local owl scene. With any luck, I might even spot one on the wing. Hopefully I'm not trespassing, because I don't think I want a pissed-off owl dive-bombing me. I seem to recall they can be rather territorial, or perhaps just protective during mating season.

Just another reason to not always have the iPod on all the time. You never know what you're missing out there.