A few days ago I was treated to a unique experience on Highway 74 at a viewpoint overlooking Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. It was 7:00 am and I had driven up the mountain a bit to enjoy the new snowfall.
The turnout was deserted except for a single large raven who seemed very curious that I had arrived with my camera. He flew over me, I think to impress me with the size of his wingspan, and landed nearby. He looked me right in the eye and started to make some loud clicking noises (almost like he was snapping his beak together) and his head would bob up and down - trying to tell me something. I got very close to this beautiful bird and he seemed to enjoy it, always looking me right in the eye and we spent about 10 minutes communicating with each other. Then he flew up, circled me once, and landed on the parapet to enjoy the view.
He made another series of very loud clicking noises, motioning with his head, inviting me to come closer. Then he kept motioning with his wing as though he wished me to enjoy the view with him!In the 1960s, neurologist Stanley Cobb found that ravens have among the
largest brains of any birds, as well as a relatively high number of brain cells. Natural history author Candace Savage writes:
largest brains of any birds, as well as a relatively high number of brain cells. Natural history author Candace Savage writes: “Crows, ravens, magpies, and jays are not just feathered machines, rigidly programmed by their genetics. Instead, they are beings that, within the constraints of their molecular inheritance, make complex decisions and show every sign of enjoying a rich awareness.” My friendly raven was definitely enjoying a rich awareness of the beauty of this day, and I'm happy I got to share this experience with him!
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5 comments:
cute little blacky...
if you need music for your shop, my boyfriend writes it personalized however you want for a very fair price for your slide shows.
check my links in my blog :)
happy new year!
"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary..." Thank you for the inspiration to look again read "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe. It had been awhile...
Hi Alison, thank you for sharing your amazing experience. I must admit that if this would have been me, the raven would have unnerved me. I am a bit afraid of large birds, while at the same time I am envious of their ability to fly. My father let me see The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock at too young of an age... anyway, I want to commend you for what I think was bravery, which gave you the ability to fully embrace this experience. I love the last photograph. Your little friend, beckoning your to come closer...
That is so cool! A friend told me once that crows are very intelligent - they will wait on the poles above traffic lights, drop nuts to the ground to crack them open, wait for the light to turn red and the traffic to stop, then they'll fly down to get their nut before the light turns green again - pretty smart I thought!
I love your photos, it's a beautiful view!
Amazing story, and beautiful music to accompany. I enjoyed the experience.
Here's a crow video from YouTube -- featuring the aforementioned traffic light/nut cracking technique. They are pretty bright birds!
Oops -- here the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGPGknpq3e0
Sorry about that! :)
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