The New Nest at Cottonwood Heights

 

Edgar and Aida decided on the big half-dead cottonwood tree, conveniently right outside our front doors!

Toward the end of March they were diligently building it up with sticks and Raven things. Edgar would fly to the nest with some kind of balls of things... duff? Feathers? They'd stuff things into the nest and Aida would sit and wiggle about getting things just right.

They had to get it all just right; the nest has survived two severe wind storms, one that shredded a neighbor's greenhouse, and ripped the siding off a house trailer.

By April 13th, Aida was sitting on the nest religiously and Edgar bringing her food. They were seen boinking (you know, Raven Love) on the nest on the 13th and 15th.

See Edgar carrying a special stick. Takes a good Raven eye for the right stick for nest construction!

Aida fluffing and arranging and interior decorating

The Nest at Cottonwood Heights

WE HAVE A RAVEN NEST!

Yes we have a Raven nest!

On February 11th I noticed an excessive amount of Raven courtship activity. A pair sat in a cottonwood tree a hundred yards down the crick and yelled at each other. They were apparently discussing a former Raven nest in a tree; it was built but never used. I recognized the female of this pair; she has an unusually high voice for a female Raven. I remember hearing her last fall.

This pair also checked out a couple of other trees, including a big half-dead one right outside my friend's font door (and which I can see from my cabin). There used to be an occupied red-tailed hawk nest in this tree that was used several years ago, but Ravens dismantled it to build their own nest elsewhere.

On March 26th, this Raven pair was definitely building a nest in our big cottonwood tree!

We named them Edgar Raven and Aida Garifullina Raven (after the famous soprano opera singer).

More to come!

Finally! A Raven Postage Stamp!

 

March 14 2021

The Raven is soooooo excited for this Raven post office stamp! it's created by Tlingit and Athabascan artist Rico Lanáat’ Worl, and should be out this year.

The Raven is going to start writing lots of letters on which to paste this stamp!

https://www.adn.com/arts/2020/11/26/tlingit-artist-designs-stamp-inspired-by-trickster-raven-tale-for-us-postal-service/

Raven Rides City of Rocks

The Raven has also kept up his endurance riding. He's got some 8000 AERC endurance miles now.

In June he rode the Standardbred Hillbillie Willie on a 50-miler in the City of Rocks Pioneer Endurance ride, in southern Idaho, in City of Rocks National Reserve.

Here he is with his pal Willie (and snoozing Jose).

A Raven in Iceland

Never fear. The Raven hasn’t disappeared. He’s just busy as usual, doing Raven things, riding horses, traveling the world!

In August last year The Raven fulfilled a life-long dream to go to Iceland and ride Icelandic  horses. It was one of his best trips ever!

Ravens are a great part of the mythology of Iceland:

https://adventures.is/blog/ravens-iceland/

Raven For President!

March 14 2018

The Raven has decided to start funding his campaign for President, starting with these 3 Raven mugs. A kind of exploratory committee kinda thing. They're on sale for 3 days this go round.


https://www.gearbubble.com/ravenforpresident


https://www.gearbubble.com/ravenpresident2020



https://www.gearbubble.com/ravenforevermorepresident2020

Raven Mug by Mara

November 24 2017

Nothing says Raven Love like a morning cup of coffee (with half n half) in a beautiful Raven mug by Mara.

It just makes coffee taste so much better, and yes, of course, Ravens love coffee!