A pair of romantic ravens steals the show and my heart.
Only you know what dwells in your heart when you are alone. Nothing is worse for a wise person than to have nothing to love.
Havamal Stz 95
Last weekend we sprung forward into daylight time. I love the wintry weather, but this year I was looking forward to thawing out from the dark, cold days. Winter in Northeastern Pennsylvania is very grey and the lack of sunshine can be a downer for many of us.
After months of stillness, we welcome back the wildlife activity. Frolicking cotton-tail rabbits and foraging robins fill the property. I personally love hearing the spring birdsong before the sun rises! It is the sound of hope to my winter doldrums. This morning’s calming coo of the dove is a reminder that brighter days are ahead.
All this wildlife activity means chances for more photo ops. I enjoy the winter birds but look forward to the colorful subjects such as daffodils, butterflies, and bluebirds.
For months I have been saying I wanted to photograph ravens, but where to find them. On Saturday I decided to do a hike to my favorite lookout spot. As I set out, a cold mist had begun and I had little hope I would find anything of interest. That is what I always loved about nature photography. It is full of surprises, and it really forces you to look. I captured this fella on a dreary cold day last fall. He was like the last pop of color in the grey forest:
When I arrived at the ridge, I saw a pair of black birds which I believed were crows soaring past. I took a photograph and left, forgetting about the image. That evening as I looked through the day’s photos, I zoomed it to see the birds were not crows, but ravens!
I was so delighted I decided to head up to the same location the next day in hopes of finding them again. This time the pair were a bit more cooperative for a photo op, but still yards away. When I snapped this photo I couldn’t see what they were doing, and had no idea I caught such a tender moment.
Today the forecast was looking good, so I opted to delay work until the afternoon so I could find the pair again. I made my way to the same spot, and took a seat where I could get a good view of the ridge line on either side. Their unmistakable gawks and click-chats echoed across the ravine.
All I managed were several close encounters as they soared past, tilting their heads ever so slightly in my direction. I believe they were as curious about me as I was about them! Along with the ravens I spotted two turkey vultures and a peregrine falcon who appeared panicked about the corvids. The peregrines are known to nest in the area and I am certain they are not thrilled about their new thieving neighbors. (corvids are known to steal nesting materials from other birds! Naughty!)
After two hours of failing to capture anything I left, turning back at every raven click in the hopes I could catch something. On my way out of the forest, I was gifted with this lovely encounter.
Following my adventures with ravens, I received a phone call from a friend who is looking for me to photograph some of her pottery for her website. I left the trailhead and made my way to her house, which is set atop of hill on a picturesque farm.
For an added bonus, her farm is near untouched wetlands which are abundant in nature such as beavers, eagles, otters, and falcons.
Following the session, I took a walk to the wetlands in the hopes of spotting the eagles known to nest there. Another sign of spring is the return of the Canadian geese. Watching them migrate in the fall is a rite of passage, much like the sad day I see the last hummingbird at the feeder before they head south. were no eagles but I did find this fella along with a beaver who did his best to avoid the camera:
Seems he had a love interest too, a rather indifferent female. As for the beavers, I will return!
It seems love is really in the air! As for the romantic ravens, to be continued…
In a few weeks, I head back to the land of fire and ice to attend the first Sorcery festival in Holmavìk followed by more adventures with Midgard Adventure and……a special horseback ride and stay in the land of Njal’s Saga. More to come on that so be sure to follow my Instagram where I will be uploading footage of my adventures with the incredibly robust DJI Osmo Creator camera!
