Dad says that Baron and family had to go
Don Bradley 8-6-24
For a couple of reasons. The appointed times with them - and all the joy they brought into my somewhat isolated and edge of civilization world - were obtained. Sigh.
And also, so Peter, James, John, and Andrew - the white hawks - could take their place among the trees hereabouts.
My heart still aches over the loss of my much beloved raven friends. I sound silly, don't I? Don't care. I am a silly person, anyway.
I remember when they appeared in February of 2023: Ranger and Baron, with their flock (they hate the snapper head designation the witches give them of INTIMIDATION). Same with crows, they hate their clan being called a MURDER, another witch designation. I understand. I am slandered all the live long day likewise. About 30 ravens, with Baron at the head, moved right on in.
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| Baron and Ranger, Feb 2023. |
Then after half a time, Baron met Margaret (Madge, for short), they fell in love, courted and I was privy to all of this. Then the day of the big wedding. How they marry is they perch on a branch, cooing each other, and the others perch alongside, nodding their approval and assent. Then, the happy couple fly off in a circle, followed by the clan, all shouting blessings, long life, fruitful union, all very that. After half a dozen loops around the place, the clan breaks off leaving the happy couple to some quiet nook among the trees in private. A raven marriage.
They have funerals, they bury their dead. This I learned all from them; but happily Edu found online outside the USA, that researchers know most of this and he sent me links, verifying these things. It's nice not to be crazy, after all.
Then Baron and Madge sent the clan away, with Ranger taking over flight and command duties; they moved to a nearby ridge, across the highway down below. As it happens. After this and dealing with the politics of choosing a successor, Baron and Madge set about building a nearby nest, among the power lines, as photographed previously published. Then Madge became pregnant. She lost two babies, one to a fall, the other was taken by a Yellow tail hawk. Sad days for us all.
The babies were born, as published here, and the last few months have been watching them grow, learn to fly, and be their own raven selves. They have the highest level language I've ever encountered among wildlife, so far. And by far, the most intelligent.
I will miss them every day of my life.