It's not just their graceful and agile flying which makes ravens interesting to watch. Their natural curiosity in everything around them is evident. They watch people; they're interested in us. There has been nothing more thrilling than to have one of the Grogs recognize me from miles up, turn, do a roll and descend with a "kaaark" of acknowledgment.
Like us, they use their voice to express a multitude of things, harsh calls when there is danger, soft murmurings when they're rubbing beaks with their mate. Before I had gotten to know the Grogs very well, I was walking in the hills, training to go up Kilimanjaro. Because I had been advised to be able to walk for eight hours, I passed some of the hours with poetry going through my head. I'll never forget the Wallace Stevens' line that I was saying, "the real will from all its crude compoundings come," as two ravens flew over quorking loudly. There, several yards in front of me, its length the width of the path was a rattlesnake. Even though I was terrified I admired its diamonds of black and white. Naturally, I believe the ravens warned me.
All of the glorious pictures I have been posting are from my friends, Rick and Diana who are working on their site: theravendiaries.com.
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