Charismatic Corvids

At the same location as the entertainingly engaging gophertopia I happened across recently, I was charmed by another beguiling species: ravens. They were perhaps even craftier than the ground squirrels with whom they shared the outdoor residence; where the ground squirrels curiously approached anyone who seemed to be promising, the ravens used intimidation and calculations only known to birdkind to steal the best tidbits from their furred neighbours and people alike.

I’ve always liked ravens. They’re one of my favourite birds, and being able to capture their image them at a close range was a timely stroke of photographer’s luck.

One raven in particular tolerated my presence at a distance and allowed for its photo to be taken; I had the sense from this intelligent and unnervingly observant bird that my existence was merely to be permitted as long as I stayed far enough away and didn’t dare to interfere with its plans of finding food and world domination.