WoodSong- Off the Beaten Path

“…the raven is big, black, and beautiful. Its highly glossed plumage shows iridescent greens, blues, and purples, shining like a black dewdrop in the light. And it dives and rolls like a black thunderbolt out of the sky or speeds along with liquid, gliding strokes. The raven is the paragon of the air, and more. It is assumed to be the brains of the bird world, so deep, sonorous, penetrating voice demands immediate attention and respect, even though we have little or no idea what it says. It has a greater variety of calls than perhaps any other animal in the world except human beings. It is an imposing bird.”

I have had a deep fondness for Ravens and Crows since childhood. They’re fascinating birds. Thet’re also VERY smart and have a wonderful sense of play about them. and after reading Bernd Heinrich’s books, a brilliant naturalist/teacher and author who has spent years studying and living with Ravens, I was captivated even more.

Our local Common Ravens have been very vocal lately, and their calls are so varied- they definitely have their own language. I have yet to capture one well with ny camera.. but coulld spend hours watching and listening to them. Now that the trees are bare I can view them from bed. as they ride the winds… such special talking wingeds.

I’m honored to have them here.. and equally honored to have the above print on my bedroom wall. Durwood is a heck of a painter and is so very gifted. He and his lovely wife had a booth next to mine at the Chippewa Nature Center last winter. I was spellbound by his work and still am. He has a print of a black-capped chickadee I captured- I wanted him to take more prints as the photo above doesn’t do it justice, but he was ok with just the one print. (Did I mention he has a big heart?)

He sent a holiday card last year with the 3 Ravens wearing Santa hats.. it still rests on a shelf in my offibe- too cute!
I plan on hanging lights around this large framed print tomorrow.. or I should say my housekeeper will. We didn’t decorate at all for the holidays last year. No gifts. No cards. Not this year. I ordered cards that will be easy to send and I need to see lights! And what better image could I put lights around than a special corvid that both Durwood and I love? My love of birds has brought so many wonderful friends into my life- that’s only one of their gifts.

To view his stunning work, visit Valliwood. Be sure to check out his underwater gallery too- I saw much of it in person and it knocked my slippers off :)