Raven human interaction

My relationship with Ravens has recently reached an unexpected new level of interaction. Over the years ravens have been one of the birds that would turn up when I was doing certain work around the farm. When I am brush hogging overgrown meadows ravens will turn up to look for rodents that I might have killed to feed on. I have found that they will arrive when they hear the brush hog but wont if I'm only using the tractor. A few years ago I started to talk to them when ever I heard their call by whistling or calling out "Hello Beautiful". About three weeks ago I was stacking firewood in our front yard. I heard a raven overhead and looked up to see an individual flying very high directly above me. There was no wind and the sky was cloudless. The black silhouette of the raven with her clean lines against the blue triggered within me the attachment I feel towards them and what they have come to mean to me. I now can't remember if I said hello or whistled back after hearing her call. What happened next stunned and delighted me. This raven had carried leaves aloft with her to release and eventually float down to me. What a surprise this was! There must have been about 15 leaves one of which was a elm leaf that I caught in my hand. By the time the leaves had all landed the raven was gone. What I find so amazing is that this bird wish to have a form of interaction with me. The degree of contact was all on her terms and truly seemed to be of a playful nature. As she departed what was going on in her head. Did she watch me try to catch the leaves that she had sent? Was she entertained? These intelligent beings have captivated and charmed me for a long time and will continue to do so.

How awesome! What an honor it is when we develope a relationship with a wild being.

Wow thats great David! Thanks so much for telling us about it!

The Ravens often perch on the top of one of the Spruce trees next to the house and call.  I usually answer them when I'm in the yard. This afternoon I took a few pictures, of a Raven playing in the snow behind a fast food restaurant.

It's a challenge to get a good balance of exposure for both the black bird and the white snow. I took 33 shots this afternoon, and only kept five pictures. In this shot the Raven has good detail, but the snow is washed out.

Very handsome bird!

So tell me Gary; how do you call back to them? :-)

Very nice pictures

When a pair of Common Ravens nested in the valley below the house last spring, they became very territorial. Much of the time, one bird would be guarding their territory, sitting on one of a half dozen high perches, on the valley rime above the nest. The clump of mature Spruce trees next to my house was one of the perching areas. They would always announce their arrival proclaiming it their territory. So, I just considered it sort of a game I played with them, to shout something - anything back just to let them know, I was only letting them share my territory. The more they accepted me as no threat, the easier it would be to photographs them at the nest. I took this picture on April 2, 2007, about the time they first started incubating.

Neat!

Large birds like Ravens spend much longer in the nest than small birds. Raven eggs take 21 days to incubate. Then it takes another 35 - 42 days before they fledge. That’s about nine weeks total. We had a lot of time to squawk at each other. This picture was taken June 16, 2007 shortly before the chicks left the nest.

Thats nice you get extra time to see them!

Wonderful story. I too call to the ravens when they fly over. One of these days, one is going to say "nevermore" and I will be spooked.

Unless it's Quoth the Raven, who "doesn't do the 'N' word" ;-)
http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Minor_Discworld_characters_-_Quoth/id/4944553

Yes, I love "The Raven" by E. A. Poe. What a great and scary poem. And such a great bird, and smart too.

Ravens are considered very spiritual birds in many cultures. When you see one, there is magic in the air. They are messengers.

Ravens and crows are very intelligent and have a close family life. I always greet the ones I see and thank them for helping to degrub my garden.