Camera Critters #268

During my walking safaris around town, I often see smaller birds harassing larger birds…Robin diving on Crows…Crows diving on Ravens…that sort of thing.  And every time I attempt to photograph what I see. The images always turn out to look like two birds flying close to each other.

However, while out on a walk earlier this week, I came across Ravens harassing a couple of Red-tailed Hawks.  I stopped and began putting what I was seeing on my SD card, all the while thinking, “I’m probably not going to get anything worth anything.”

But this time, the photo gods were with me.  Although the image isn’t in good focus (I was pointing the camera almost straight up at the time and wanting to fall backwards), I could still seeing the value in the image.

Raven harassing Red-tail Hawk

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #233

A long time ago, when I was in grade school, I read Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven."

The poem meant little to me, as I had no idea what a Raven was.  I had thought the Common Crow seen everywhere in my young world, was the Raven of Poe lore.

Then I began travelling the world and developed an interest in birds.  I learned to tell the difference between a Raven and a Crow in flight (Ravens have tail feathers which end in a rounded point, while the tail feathers on Crows is more or less straight across its width).  I still have a bit of trouble identifying either bird by its voice.   However, for me, getting closer to the subject is a better way to identify the two.

Since settling down in central Oregon, where there is a good supply of both Ravens and Crows, I have come to appreciate Poe's foreboding avian.

The other morning while I was feeding the horses, I caught something out of the corner of my eye and saw it.  A Raven was on the top of a nearby tree watching my every move.  As I completed my chores, I would glance over towards the tree top and see the Raven still there.

So I went into the house and got my camera.  Worried that the smoke in the air from a 24,000 acres nearby fire might muddy the image, I lifted my Canon to my eye, and was able to snap off a couple of shots before the Raven flew off, joining three other Raven intent on harassing a passing Red-tailed Hawk.

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,

  Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore;

    For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

  Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber

    Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber 


door,



        With such name as "Nevermore."




Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #185

Several years ago, I was wandering around the smoke-jumpers area at the airport in Redmond, Oregon.

As I moved through the Junipers in the area, I began to realize several Common Ravens were having some fun in the area.

At one point I stopped and watched and attempted to get a some shots of them flying around.  I got one decent which I used many moons ago here, but that was it.  So I walked on.

Then I heard the typical calling sound of a rather close raven and turned in that direction.  There, at the top of a Juniper tree, sat a raven staring directly at me.  When these birds stare at you, you know there are some wheels turning in their head.  So I brought up my camera and got a shot.

As I lowered the camera, the raven began calling again…and stopped when I brought the camera back up to my eye. 

It then struck a pose for me and I swear I heard in my mind, “Regal, ain’t I?”

He held this pose for about 10 seconds, and then with a laugh and a giggle and hearty, “Hi ho Mr. Photographer,” he took off and disappeared off to the east.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!