Ravin’ ravens!

23 10 2025

I thought maybe a group of ravens was called a “cacophony” (if you know ravens, you know why I might have thought that). But no. A group of ravens is called an *unkindness*. How unkind is that?

Ravens actually are quite intelligent and very social. This website explains the early misunderstanding about their behavior that led to that term. They can also be called a “conspiracy” of ravens, a “treachery” of ravens and – perhaps my favorite, just because I’m a fan of alliteration – a “rave” of ravens! Also (boringly), a flock.

While the two pictured were engaged in an aerial disagreement (?!) across a large swath of ridge and sky, a third followed … maybe ready to console the loser or congratulate the winner? (There’s my own misunderstanding, shining through!) In any case, I was kinda stoked to see the above pic show up on my computer monitor. And very glad to get the lower raven’s wingtip juuuuuust within the frame of the original image (I did crop out a length of sky above them).





Snow and raven flying

27 11 2024

A raven flies in front of Temple Butte, seen dimly through rain or snow yesterday.

We got spits and not much else of the “showers” promised by the forecast. … Here’s hoping today’s snow forecast is at least partially accurate.





A little bitta

24 07 2013

072213kootravenFTpond

Kootenai and Raven explore the edges of another pond that has a little bit of water in it. Some more sprinkles fell over the basin, but we need a nice little downpour. We’re not greedy, but more than less is needed. 🙂





Big-belly mamas

14 06 2013

Kootenai, Skywalker, Raven and Sundance.

Kootenai, left, and Raven, the other one with the big belly, are counting the days – or they would if they could count. They’re big mamas-to-be.





Girls

11 04 2013

Here’s a current look at Sundance’s girls Raven and Kootenai:

Kootenai

Kootenai

Raven

Raven

Pretty, happy, healthy girls.





Where the water is …

8 04 2013

… the wild things are:

040713sundtrickle1

Raven, Sundance, Skywalker, Kootenai and Mysterium drink at the trickle, which still is trickling. Corona was waiting her turn.

Lots of deer tracks here, too.





Raven at rest

25 03 2013

Raven's hind hooves.

Raven’s hind hooves. Wild, muddy, healthy hooves.





Not weaned yet

11 02 2013

020513skywalkernurse

Skywalker doesn’t have much longer to nurse before mama Rave starts to wean him in preparation for her new baby. But by the looks of this sweet mama, she’s in no hurry to wean her big baby boy. Love how she seems to be hugging him, content in the late-day light.

This was taken last week. Yesterday, the basin – at least parts of – got about 5 inches of snow. What a relief.





Snow ponies

26 12 2012

When first spotted last week, only Raven, Skywalker and Sundance were visible. Kootenai, in her photo in a previous post, is so alert because I had just come over a rise and found her and Mysterium. They were out of sight until I was right above them.

Raven and Skywalker in the snow.

Mama and mini-me – Raven and Skywalker.

Sundance

Handsome Sundance. He really does have eyes under that gorgeous forelock!

Mysterium still is nursing from mama Kootenai!

Yes, Mysterium still is nursing.

Raven, Skywalker and Sundance watched Hollywood’s and Comanche’s bands below them on the hill for a while, then followed me to where Koootenai and Mysterium were grazing by themselves. Kootenai is fairly independent and often can be found grazing somewhat separate from the others. They’re never too far away, and young Sundance is a calm and confident stallion to let them wander.





Seeing double

30 11 2012

Raven and Skywalker

Great big boy, and isn’t it amazing how much he looks like mama? For now!