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Hootervillian
climber
the Hooterville World-Guardian
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 11, 2006 - 11:34am PT
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here's to the Raven.
although it doesn't attract the undergrads the way a peregrine or a congressman can, the Raven has long been at the center of human legend and literature.
a Creator and a trickster in mythology, the Raven excels at pattern recognition and problem solving to the point of developing vocabulary and the use of tools.
this versatility has enabled the Raven to absorb just about everything us branch species bipeds can hurl with a loud and resounding.......AAAAwwwwkkkKK.
when the World gives you humans, you make Humanaid?
i know that Josh and the Valley have some 'lunkers', even saw one get into a can of tuna at the Tree.....
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
St. Louis
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Oct 11, 2006 - 11:47am PT
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I love all birds. However, the Raven is special - smart, tough, silly and beautiful.
I can't wait to see them repopulating the East. It's a treat to go west to get to watch them in action.
BTW, there are many great books written about them. Have many at home.
Thanks for a wonderful thread!
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WBraun
climber
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Oct 11, 2006 - 11:53am PT
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The red tail hawks here attack them when they enter their territory. Many years ago there hardly were any here in Yosemite Valley. More and more showed up over the years.
It's a very bad omen ...........
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Oct 11, 2006 - 01:04pm PT
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Trashman
Trad climber
SLC
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Oct 11, 2006 - 01:31pm PT
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i like the way different populations have different calls. In the desert, you get a lot more of the sound described above. In the valley they have an odd call that almost sounds like water or pebbles falling on rock.
couple of weeks back, in indian creek we heard one do the water/pebble call, after it spend most of the day cawing. special moment for all the friends that new both calls.
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G_Gnome
Boulder climber
Sick Midget Land
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Oct 11, 2006 - 03:03pm PT
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The 'water/pebble' call is usually heard in young birds. I had one sitting on my window sill outside my office one day doing that call over and over. I was able to watch him for quite a while from about 6 inches. He knew I was there but didn't 'get' that I was a person that close. They are one of my absolutely favorite birds.
I was at Church Dome one day and a Golden Eagle flew in. The resident pair of Ravens flew up to harass him. He absolutely drove one of them into the dirt (well, not quite) but then with no elevation advantage they took great pleasure in pestering him. At one point there was a raven over each wing of the eagle about a foot above him with all 3 birds gliding. It was one of the coolest sights I have ever seen. The ravens were just a tad smaller than an eagle wing.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Oct 11, 2006 - 03:25pm PT
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There is a huge crow colony in Burnaby, an eastern suburb of Vancouver. Thousands congregate there every night, from all over the city. Luckily in an industrial area. Makes it easy for the epidemiologists to watch for avian flu, too.
Several times I've been climbing at Squamish and ravens have flown below. Quite fun to watch - they have real personalities, and apparently can be tamed. We get to see bald eagles, too - about 2,000 winter in the Squamish area - and of course a few peregrines.
Anders
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trapeze artemis
climber
Surf City
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Oct 11, 2006 - 03:25pm PT
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You can tell a Raven from a Crow by the tail.
Ravens have wedge or diamond shaped tails and Crows have fan shaped tails.
I love Ravens and have one tattoed on each shoulder.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Oct 11, 2006 - 03:31pm PT
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"a Creator and a trickster in mythology,"
Yep, Ravens are Sky-yoties.
Glacier Point Apron is a great place to watch em play
Peace
karl
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426
Sport climber
Buzzard Point, TN
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Oct 11, 2006 - 05:18pm PT
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Cah!
Skyote, that's a keeper Karl. They sure buff out the picnic area grills in the valley...
also been known to form hooks...but unclean if yer well versed in Lev:..
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Hootervillian
climber
the Hooterville World-Guardian
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 12, 2006 - 11:37am PT
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To the fowl, whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core.....
....Nevermore
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G_Gnome
Boulder climber
Sick Midget Land
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Oct 12, 2006 - 11:42am PT
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Sorry but ravens just don't go 'caw' they are always talking about their eternal enemies 'haaawwwwk'.
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Hootervillian
climber
the Hooterville World-Guardian
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 13, 2006 - 10:37am PT
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AAaaaawwwwKKKKKK...........Daves not here.....Daves not here....
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scuffy b
climber
The town that Nature forgot to hate
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Oct 13, 2006 - 02:58pm PT
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I knew a raven in Jackson,WY. Flightless, trashed his wing while
wearing pinfeathers, lived in a fenced yard without ceiling. Name
of Val. One conversation:
Me: Hi Val
Val: Waaak!
Me: buck buck (kinda like a chicken)
Val: buck buck
Me: Where's Eddie? (the cat)
Val: (pause) Meeoww!!
He LOVED showing off all his toys to visitors.
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Oct 13, 2006 - 03:28pm PT
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A great book about Ravens is "The Mind Of The Raven" by Bernd Heinrich. Stories from people who deal with ravens mixed in with reports on his studies, both in the wild and in aviaries.
Zander
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426
Sport climber
Buzzard Point, TN
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Oct 16, 2006 - 08:36am PT
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Of course, G_gnome! iirc CC actually means "croaker"...
but shoot, if we're going all anagrammatical
Once upon an April swelt'ring, as I blubbered, nearly melting,
Through my grandson's even-chambered house's small hartberry plot,
Damn! While pre-ill, bathtub-dreaming, all the evening housetops steaming,
Suddenly, pell-mell, I marveled, birth'd a little sunny thought.
"Let's go revelling," I ventured, "somewhere where it's ever not
So interminably hot!"
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knucko
climber
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Oct 16, 2006 - 11:48am PT
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raven says dave is here dave is here
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scuffy b
climber
The town that Nature forgot to hate
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Oct 16, 2006 - 12:10pm PT
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426, you may be interested to know of a contest originated by
Grant Petersen of Rivendell Bicycle Works (sorry, at the moment
I cannot find the link). A few years ago he challenged hi readers
to write the 1st verse of The Raven without using the letter e
(except in the name Lenore.)
Recently the contest was extended to the 2nd verse, the "best"
of which were published in the latest Reader.
Also published was a version using e as the only vowel.
Hilarious results!
Locker style EDIT: no link exists to the contest entries. I will
try to remember to transcribe some.
Carry On.
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426
Sport climber
Buzzard Point, TN
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Oct 18, 2006 - 07:11am PT
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Cool stuff Mr. B. Drop me a note if you get a round tuit.
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