...before a fall

The day after I decided that I was... well... gifted? Blessed? Whatever. I went out on a badger sett survey with Crow and Poplar repercussions.

We found this in a field. Sorry, you have to see the evidence again.

One of the group said, 'It was killed by its own kind.' Indeed, my reading of the situation too. Beak to the back of the head. And it was violently done.

I should have taken feathers, but I couldn't bring myself too. Already too defiled.

It's not that I didn't know that Crows kill their kind. But I wanted the back story. What was the cause?

And, of course, it made me fret about the Crows whom I know. I went to the park and saw Three and the Limping Crow, who rattled at me, making me think, is this She-D... no, I can't do that - it's too annoying - Seeds. is this Seeds? But what of the damaged wing feather and white on the chest? Both of which were evident with that confirmed sighting a few weeks ago. So that is all worrying.

Elsewhere on the walk I saw what I thought was a Black Poplar and quickly took some twigs. as I explained, one of the group told me that there is a Black poplar in Northampton and told me where. So on the way home, I did a search and couldn't find it. What's more, I decided my leaves were something else, other, non-Poplar. Lime, I thought, like last time.

But when I got home I compared the leaves with Lime. Definitely different - especially to the touch.

Lime to the left. They are much more leathery, the ones on the right are papery. But the ones on the right have more toothiness than my previous Poplars. The leaves are not tapered enough to be Black Poplar and are too big. Another hybrid, then. But this one, which had been heavily cut back, was very vigorous and the leaves are lovely.

One thing, though - you can see flowers. And that seems decisive: I think it must be a Crimean Lime, whereas the Limes in the park are Common Limes. Yes - definitely.

So, great powers I have. My spirit tree helps me misidentify and my spirit bird helps me find DEATH.

Great.