Seven ravens.
A miracle happened this solstitial morning on my Beech Hill hike with Jack. Cold, breezy, few birds—but I heard the faint croak of a raven. Not an unusual sound up there. It was coming from over the hill from where we were walking. A few moments later, I heard another croak and turned to see several big black birds approaching from behind us, circling low over the fields.
Common Raven.
“All those all ravens?” I said to Jack, who wasn’t sure what I was talking about. Turned out they were—at least eight of them that I managed to count while fumbling with my camera. They veered and wheeled as they approached, calling softly to each other. They came right up to where we stood, flapping not 30 or 40 feet above us. I saw one bird clearly checking us out.
A family of ravens nests across the road, I know. I saw their big fledglings in the fields soon after they left the nest last spring. But there were only five or six in the family. This was a couple of families, at least. Or some curious gathering of unfamiliar ravens, what do I know.
Well, what I do know is that, despite the fact that a group of ravens is called an “unkindness,” this morning’s little episode struck me as more of a miracle, moving me nearly to tears. I felt singled out, somehow blessed.
Thanks, winter.
P.S. I don’t believe my dog was quite so moved. He’s even-keeled that way.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:45 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. American Crow*
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. Blue Jay
4. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
5. Common Raven
Elsewhere
6. Red-tailed Hawk
7. Herring Gull
8. Rock Pigeon
9. Downy Woodpecker (v)
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
Beech leaf.
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, common raven, downy woodpecker, herring gull, red-tailed hawk, rock pigeon, white-breasted nuthatch
