as it's called when ravens gather. And the other week, gather they did.
I don't know why they decided to hold a conference in my backyard. This time of year, I see the young ones flying in large groups, sort of like teenagers discovering their world. But I've never seen a large group land and stay in one place, like these birds did.
Taking pictures with my phone doesn't capture what I actually saw. But it made me take out my real camera and dust it off. We'll see what happens with that project.
Ravens are present in the Bible, and in so many mythologies -- Norse, Celtic, Native American and others. In the Bible, the raven was the first bird Noah sent out to look for land; in the Norse sagas, a raven sat on each of Odin's shoulders; in some Native American tribes, particularly in the North West, the raven is the creator of light; while in other Native American cultures, he's a trickster.
Ravens are also believed to be harbingers of news, from the cosmos to the battlefield. From the battlefield, they were thought to bring messages of death.
Ravens are also highly intelligent. My neighbor Bob has trained our local couple to sit next to Joyce's dogs. The ravens do this because he rewards them with horse treats, goodies the ravens quickly figured out should not be wasted on horses.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteLove the raven images, they look beautiful in flight. I would like to see the Raven's sitting next to the dog. Take care, enjoy your day! Happy weekend!
They say ravens never forget a face. If you show them a kindness, they will tell their friends.
ReplyDeleteRavens also fed the prophet Elijah in the bible.
Love the unusual group names for animals and birds. Wonder who thought that one up and why?
ReplyDeleteI like Sandi's version of them and showing kindness.
Your phone took super good photos of the Ravens I assumed each one in and it shows all the detail it's perfect you just can't assume it in on one at a time well some people can I can't. Maybe you can use the camera to get pictures of the Ravens eating whatever he throws out to the horses.
ReplyDeleteI love ravens very much indeed. What an awful name for a group of them! I would call them a Rambunction of Ravens or maybe a Wisdom of Ravens! I love their depiction in Lord of the Rings and in the Bible. Lovely photos captured. I know we compare our photos to what we saw with our own eyes, but I really think yours came out good.
ReplyDeleteYour flight photos are so sharp and clear, and that is hard to do. Do you have any idea why they chose there to gather? I know they are maybe as smart as a two year old. Keep us posted, maybe you can see what they are doing on the ground?
ReplyDeleteRavens have long memories. Better not offend one or you may be dive bombed. Wonderful pix.
ReplyDeleteRavens are quite remarkable!!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the beautiful comment on my last post. Gracie says to tell Samson he will always be her one and only love.
ReplyDeleteSamson will always love her too. What a pair they were. I'm thinking of you and Gracie a lot these days, and of course I still have the heart.
DeleteI am having such a hard time commenting on your blog. I have to get my laptop out to comment, and even then I get kicked off before my comment posts... errrrr sorry. I am venting.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you still have the heart, we love you! and now I'm waiting for this comment to disappear before I post it because that is usually what happens when I try to comment.
ReplyDeleteBobbi, thank you for making the effort. I have no idea why it gives you such problems. I love you and Gracie so much and I'm thinking of you both now that she is struggling with her very old age.
DeleteWe see a lot of ravens in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They are big, beautiful birds!
ReplyDeleteI love learning new things here. you're such Fun!
ReplyDeleteand I also have always just loved the name Raven itself.
we're seeing so much intelligence in other species of life.
has Mankind been so egotistical and seemingly Superior for eons? apparently so.
and in parting... I can just see this! two ravens sitting with the dogs...
" goodies the ravens quickly figured out should not be wasted on horses. "
LOLOL!!! just gotta Love that Bob!
I'll let Bob know next time I see him. He is amazing with animals.
DeleteHi Inger - did you ever get to see the Ravens at the Tower of London - always there to protect the Crown and thus ye olde Britain! Amazing birds having read your notes about Bob and his training of them ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI saw them, and I beleive it was the Empire that would be lost should they fly away. Wasn't it? So they clipped their wings. This was in 1960, I'm sure they don't do that anymore.
DeleteI enjoyed reading about your ravens. I have a couple that visit here and one raven comes alone and I think he lost his mate. He makes these sad croaky sounds and sometimes even sounds like a toad. I feel sorry for him. H e will sit on the fence and whine for a long time.
ReplyDeleteThey do mate for life, so that's so very sad. I wish there was a way to cheer him up.
DeleteWe have a raven in Labrador Valley who the neighbors named "Grandfather". He looks so wise. I love ravens!
ReplyDeleteI must admit I don't know a lot about ravens, other than those that are at The Tower of London, see this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravens_of_the_Tower_of_London
ReplyDeleteSo thank you for the information and your photographs.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
I felt sure I had commented on this post!?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing your photographs of the ravens.
All the best Jan