Chasing after a distant raven call can be a bit of a mug’s game as, nine times out of ten, the raven is long gone by the time you catch up with the sound.
Yesterday morning, however, my raven luck was overflowing. I followed the calls to a street really close to our house and found not one, but FOUR ravens.
One pair was calling in a large cedar tree, only a couple of blocks from our house.
Across the street another raven pair were calling from a house roof, setting off a cacophony of crow cawing and dog barking.
I should mention that Geordie, a calm veteran of many a corvid encounter, was not one of the barkers. He was more worried that we were never going to get home.
I ended up following the roof ravens as they moved from one house to another for the next half hour or so. Sorry Geordie.
The wet and windy weather was playing havoc with that majestic look the ravens usually maintain.
At one point the raven pair landed on the roof of some friends. As the raven was calling and I was taking photos from the alleyway, my friend’s head popped out of her attic window to ask, “Is there a raven on my roof?” and I was able to answer, “No, there are TWO ravens on your roof!” We decided that, if a pair of magpies is a “Two for Joy” situation, then two ravens must be a great omen.
The absolute highlight of my morning was watching the two wet roof ravens engage in some allopreening and also the affectionate beak play that I captured as a still moment in my new Raven Kiss image.
At that point I felt that my urban nature enthusiasm batteries were charged to the point of overflow. Simultaneously, my camera battery was drained, so it was finally (to Geordie’s relief) time to head home.
Sometimes it seems as if the world of nature knows just what I need. All I have to do is get outside, even if my jaded inner voice is asking “why bother?” … and just go see.
Sometimes it’s something I’ve seen a hundred times before — in just a slightly different light.
Sometimes it’s a show stopping surprise.
Either way, it’s always worth dragging my boots on. The dog generally agrees.
See also: Boring Walks Part 1
You might also enjoy The Gift
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I absolutely Love your ravens, your crows, all your posts! You make us feel as though we are on the walks with you and Geordie! I too, have come to love your birdies! Thank you so much! We met once at a craft fair which seems like in a different century now! Should I be responding on a different address?
Thanks so much, Doreen and it’s fine to reply here. You can also email my by using the contact form on my web site at http://www.junehunter.com
THANK YOU JUNE……..SOME NEXT YEARS CALENDAR SHOTS HERE! LYNN >
There is something haunting about a ravens call. Thrilling & special.
Just wonderful, the ravens made my day. And Geordie is such a fine fellow.
Oh your videos are just wonderful, thank you!
Yes, it always gets to me – I feel like they’re primeval sounds.
I have been experiencing the same ennui while considering getting out of bed and heading out for yet another morning walk – but, like you, I find it almost always recharges my batteries and gives me enthusiasm for another day – (less so when I return home wet and cold). Thanks June! xo
Thank you Jane, I always enjoy watching and listening to ravens – on this side of the Atlantic where they recovering from decades of ignorant persecution (as they still are in some places here). I went to Grunau an Almtal in Austria 4 years ago and found the variety of sounds intriguing. At one point I was looking for English word that seem to best represent the rang and I settled on: honking, barking, grunting, crackling, growling, squawking, pooping, croaking, belching, clicking, wheezing, whirring, yodeling. I think there are many more, especially more intimate sounds at much closer quarters.
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