Subject: [Tweeters] Stuck inside today Bird stories
Date: May 5 09:19:06 2009
From: Rob Sandelin - floriferous at msn.com



The dance of the raven

It was my last hike of the summer as a park ranger in Denali National Park.
I was alone and at the furthest distance of the hike I sat down at the edge
of a rocky ridge. As I gazed at the mountain in the distance reflecting on
the summers adventures I was surprised from behind as a raven came flying up
behind me, and as it overtook me it flew only a few feet from where I was
sitting and as it passed it gave a loud RONK! I physically startled at the
sudden unexpected sound. The Raven dropped down below me maybe 50 feet or
so, then swung back towards me, flying powerfully and right as it got to my
level gave off a cool metallic rattle call and did a series of upward barrel
rolls. The bird did several aerobatic antics in front of me making several
different calls with each "dance" move. For a finale the bird dove down,
then came up close again to where I sat and just above me, splayed out its
wings and tail to their fullest extension and sort of fluttered down, almost
like a snowflake for a few feet. The bird circled me, and gave off a sort of
cooing sound and then, as if late for some appointment, flew fast and
directly at the Mountain. I watched the bird until it disappeared in the
shadows of the great mountain.

Every time I see a raven now, I give a small mental prayer wishing the bird
good hunting as a thank you for my continuing good fortune.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer, Teacher
Snohomish