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Some other links of recent interest to Pasty Cam watchers:
• Ancestors 2007   • New Arrivals 2007
• The Hut Inn Re-opens  • Kevin's Story
Eight years ago on the Pasty Cam: 03/08/99 ^{Printed on Recycled Internet}

Now that shot catches your attention. Jonathan Hopper captured it eight years ago as he was about to crest a ridge on the way to Traprock Valley.

Trails, both snowmobile and ski, are in top condition right now, after a slow start to the season. More than 500 cross country skiers will participate in the Great Bear Chase this Sunday, finishing their 26- and 50-kilometer races on Fifth Street in downtown Calumet.

Good Morning

Happy birthday to my Uncle Gord. Don't know if he tunes in, but just in case, happy 83rd.

Good Morning!!!! Sun shinning in Ohio and saw 50's in the forcast don't know when but it sounds great.

Early spring is starting to make an appearence here on our farm...when my horses roll in the dirt, a lot of winter hair shedding off is left behind, birds are building nests in the horse barn, seen a few robins, and the weatherman says mid 60's by tuesday.

Morning all....

So tell me Dean, how exactly does that shot cathes my attention?? ;-)

That's what happens when you type faster than your brain works before the coffee kicks in :-) You will also note, through the magic of the Internet, that it now appears as if I never made that typo -- Dean

You're forgiven, Dean. The brain does not function properly so early. Good Morning all!

My brain AND the rest of me did not want to get out of the snuggly warm haven of my bed this morning. I'm not sure the brain is engaged yet...at least the sun is shining here today, in spite of it only being 10 degrees. This could be the end of the cold weather for this winter...we can hope!!

Good Morning! Oh, Janie, 60's--that would be a dream for us! We're happy to finally see 50 in our forecast for Tuesday, I think.

The birds were singing & the crows were cawing this morning here. (Ok, I know that a crow is a bird, but I don't count their cawing as singing.) As my grandpa would have said, these crows here are as big as chickens.

Oh let me at that Great Bear Race. Probably not going to make it from here in 73º TX panhandle.

Ditto on the brain not functioning early; I usually get to my office by 6, but don't really do much until 7:30 or so.

Are you sure they are crows Marianne and not ravens, which tend to be much larger than the average crow??

I guess I'm not sure, Capt. Paul. I had assumed they were crows because the local authorities have referred to them as crows when they are talking about mosquito-borne diseases. There are flocks of them that usually arrive in various parts of the city, usually around garbage day. They like to pick through people's garbage before the garbage collectors get it, similar to what the sea gulls do, except that the sea gulls tend to hang out by the dumpsters near fast food restaurants, etc. They could be ravens? They are certainly big birds, which ever they are. :-)

Check the bill of the crows----if rather thick and the bird is sort of husky it is a raven. Also the call of a raven is nothing like that of a crow.The crow has a more slender beak and more sharply pointed. Both rather smart birds.

Sure is quiet here,kind of dull here in Berkley where the sun is shining and the cats outside are trying to get into the house to be with Jimmie the fat white cat. I haven't heard any birds yet. How are Kevins contributions coming? Hope that you can collect a lot for him.
Mary says: I hope to have an update over on Kevin's Story tomorrow. The donations have been overwhelming and so very much appreciated. Thank you!
P.S. Mikie, your package arrived today, I'm sending you an email!

Tom, ditto on your last comment.

We are enjoying a beautiful Spring like day here in San Jose today. After all the cold weather and rain we have experienced, it's about time we are kissed by the sun. Out on my patio reading my book and the sun feels good.

Hello Kevin and Kelly of Lodi, I wondered what happened to you.

Beverly

Besides what Tom describes above, a Ravens tail is boat shaped. Crows tail is straight squared off at the end. Ravens at present in MI range only above a line north of about Standish over to about Ludington give or take. In recent years though they are expanding their range southward.
Crows are often in good sized flocks whereas Ravens are usually only seen in smaller loose groups.
Marianne, not sure but I think you are south of that line?

Russemmons, "as the crow flies", we are very close to that line, almost on it, possibly 5 to 10 miles south of it? We live in Midland.

Next time the big black birds are in our neighborhood, I will have to look closer at them. I don't know what to say about their groups. They probably have half a dozen birds in them?They have been in town for a number of years.