…and on the 25th day he rested. Howdy everyone, this has been one hell of a month. Just looking at the production on the Wildlife side of Intrigued may appear we have been slacking off, but nothing of the sort. Dog shows, running, more dog shows, more running, hand sledging concrete, more running, haunters convention, more running, Halloween prop building…and yes, even more running. Actually, that seems more like a regular month around here, but what has been gobbling up time is getting the Average Year progress updated (link here) and 3 massive posts on the mothership. With the extra time during the last dog show, decided to bite the bullet and finish the recap of our annual Haunted Trail event – nothing like being 9 months behind…well, being 3 years behind, my photo queue would have some snarky comments about that. If you are interested in what we do around here all year or if you happen to really be into Halloween, you might be interested in those posts:
Haunted Trail 2022 – Prep and Build (link here)
Haunted Trial 2022 – Day Walker (link here)
Haunted Trail 2022 – Night Terrors (link here)
Warning, your browser’s image cache will likely be smoking by the time you make it through all three of those posts. Funny how it doesn’t seem like that much work to put the event on until I go and make the recap posts.
Tomorrow I am planning to run the final simulation run for the upcoming 50K. This would be the one that is a total elevation nightmare and put me in the hospital on my first attempt (link here). That blemish was addressed the following year (link here) and then I took my wife’s advice and said “Nevermore”. That lasted a couple of years…and, well, let’s just say I like a good challenge,. Not sure I am going to luck out like the last time and have cooler temps (thanks to 6 hrs of nonstop rain). Thinking this one is going to have conditions more like the first attempt. The first simulation went okay last week (only 16 miles of it) with no support team or refueling. The support team with be in play tomorrow (aka Linda), which will test the hydration/fueling plan and will cover all the major elevation traversals…Brad might have to take the helm while I recover for the real thing in less than two weeks.
While I rest up for the test, thought I’d feature something else that has “Nevermore” connotations.
Hit the jump to read more about this traditional haunt inspiring creature!
Even though I do not get to encounter this particular species very often, I feel I have a long kindred spirit with them. In my early years I was completely consumed by Edgar Allen Poe’s writings. Horror was my thing, even in grade school, reading nightmare inducing novels well beyond my grade – I wasn’t allowed to see ‘R’ rated movies, but I could read all the books I could get my hands on they were based from. Note, Ron can confirm, this did result in my parents getting contacted by my 7th grade teacher who felt compelled to inform them my book reports were …”concerning”. To my parents credit, they asked why a teacher wanted to suppress a kids desire to read. I had my share of issues (clowns for a start), understanding written horror from reality wasn’t one of them nor “right” from “wrong” which was a staple of our upbringing.
Did all that reading about the dark side manifest in my fascination with Halloween or was the interest always there which drove me to the books and I just continued to grow into the subject as the years went on. Answer that and you can probably lay to rest the chicken quandary. Regardless, whenever I see a Raven I think back to those early years with fondness. My days of reading large novels are probably behind me, but there is always at least one Raven on all our haunted trails.
On a side note, you may recall my dog (who just turned 9 yesterday!) is named Raven as well. Our two previous dogs Osiris (Rizzi) and Kerberos (Kerby) were named after gods of the dead (I took a lot of elective Ancient Civilizations courses in college). I wanted to name my new dog Anubis to carry the theme, but Linda put her foot down – she would not be calling out “Noob” in front of agility ring spectators. As a result, Raven’s full name is Anubis Nevermore Now Raven. An Ode to Poe and to Linda’s foot.
As mentioned earlier, I really do not get to visit with the Raven very often. Sure, “Common” may be in the name, but compared to its smaller kin, the American Crow, its region is pretty restrictive from a US perspective. Typically these large bodied birds are found on the western third of the country, but more ranged to the north in Canada and down into Central America.
The specimen you are looking at here comes from a quick trip to Las Vegas last March. I have to admit, one of the primary reasons for going to Vegas was to get the Raven checked off my list for the current “Average Year”. Desperation attempts to get one in the closing moments of last year came up empty. There were sightings reported in Austin where we stayed for New Year’s Eve. I had visions of snapping this bird in the final minutes before the fireworks went off (like Bostick and the Snowy Owl in The Big Year) – It was to happen Nevermore in 2022 and the 300 species quest fell just short.
My distaste for failing doesn’t just apply to my running affliction, that miss was resonating when we set out to plan our vacations this year. Vegas has Ravens, I’ve photographed Ravens there and from the eBird reports, they are still there. “Linda, can we go to Vegas?” That was a trick question, of course, as Linda has never turned down a trip to Sin City.
Somewhat surprising, we didn’t spot a Raven at our usual spot – the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area. No worries though as they were abundant in other sites we explored. This series comes from our first encounter at Desert NWR, or more specifically the Corn Creek Field Station near the entrance (link here). We were checking out the Railroad Tie Cabin (link here) when a large shadow passed over us. Quite ominous ha. Quickly spotted the large object causing the rush of darkness and watched it land in a nearby tree – interestingly, the same tree in the cabin picture on that reference website (straight up from the back right corner of the building).
Linda continued reading the background on the cabin, I was a on a mission. By the time I got in position to get some shots I realized I was shooting into direct light – not the best when it comes to this jet black bird. I think it heard me cussing under my breadth because it launched over my head and landed in a much better tree.
Even then, still a bit hard to pull out the details I wanted. It graciously posed for me while I desperately changed settings to capture the moment. “And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting.. and his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming”
Now my hand…
Once its patience ended
The foreboding message duly noted
To the sky it ascended
My lips now quoted
“Nevermore”.
Just a few interesting tidbits from Cornell before I let you go. Beyond the famous association with Edgar Allen Poe’s immersion into insanity, the Raven is considered “among the smartest of all birds”. With intelligence, comes deviousness. These pranksters like to annoy local golfers by stealing their golf balls. For those who want a tip in the field, their inflight tails will give them away if there is no reference for their larger frame. Unlike the American Crow, the Raven’s tail feathers will form a diamond where the Crow’s will have a more squared off appearance. This is extremely helpful at distance.
Hope you enjoyed seeing a few shots of a rather famous species of bird. I’m sure Eric Draven would approve (link here). For those not familiar with the reference one of my favorites (link here).
Wildlife Intrigued 
Do you have a separate house for all your ghoulies to live in? Your Halloween trail prep looks quite arduous. Ravens and crows are cool, smart and smarty.
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Yes, we have an outbuilding where the things that go bump in the night have to stay until the event comes around. To be honest, it is more like a designated corner of that building that I built specific shelving for…although admittedly, it broke containment last year so I need to figure out additional space in the building – it has 3 bays, one is just for Linda and her RV, one is my shop and the other is the storage – you can kind of see a bit of it in the takedown shots at the end of my Night Terrors post (https://life-intrigued.com/2023/06/24/haunted-trail-of-tears-2022-night-terrors/) ,,,and now with all the new ..much larger… prop in the lab now..we might have to build another one ha. As for the black cloaked birds… smarty is a perfect description..even devious would work hehehe. Thanks for dropping in Tim.
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You have a msss of ghoulies that don’t have much to do but mess around in storage for most of the year. Do you find they are reproducing? I have an infinite shed of doom that has all kinds of junk, including squirrels and skunks. At least Linda has a Lady locale to go along with your Man cave and Spook space.
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They have to be reproducing as every year it seems I am pulling more and more tubs out of the building – when the owners are away, the ghoulies will fornicate. Always a bit concerned about the extra big smiles on the Posey’s whenever we check in on them – they get yelled at to put their game faces on before heading out to the trail. Luckily no critters – we keep it as sealed up as possible so those pesky Squirrels, Skunks and especially those Snakes keep their distance. Linda made it very clear when we built the shed that none of my stuff was going to cross the bay line to her side and if it did it was getting hauled to the dump. Fingers crossed she doesn’t go check on the RV in the coming weeks as there might be a slight breach (dealing with some new oversized props). Maybe I could just sneakily unscrew the lightbulbs on here side..hmmmm..
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Happy looking, satisfied ghoulies wouldn’t cut it for fright night. My infinite shed of doom is a very large (24×60), very old (around 100 years old), quite a bit open chicken coop that my dad and I raised the roof on 50 years ago. The bunnies take refuge in it from the hawks and owls, also. Linda don’t like no stinking space invaders.
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Agreed! Sounds like a perfect Bunny refuge you got there, although the Barn Owls may also enjoy a place like that. And yes, Linda is very opinionated when it comes to invaders ha.
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Poignant after 50k practice runs; while you pondered weak and weary. There came a tapping, softly tapping at your chamber door. It was Linda asking if the basement was cleared out yet.
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How very Poe of you ha. You also have Linda down and let me just say, that line is already in use with the fast approaching gathering. I tried tell her that this is a “preview” to show the prop progress..she is having nothing of it, so looks like I’ll be busy once the exhaustion leaves the legs. Ironically, I say that as I am heading out the door for an 8 mile run at Farmdale – the legs already hurt. A bit more isn’t going to make it any worse..least I hope not ha.
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Known to attack to protect young should be also listed as a trait.😳
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Yes! you are correct. Seems a common trait with all these black flying beasts – I have an ongoing war with a Red-Winged Blackbird mother that is under the impression my innocent running past them every other day is a threat to her little brats. You would think the damn thing would learn..nope..get near, get attacked. Thankfully not as imposing as these Ravens! Thanks for coming by CJ, hoping canoe season is in full swing.
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Yeah, the canoe has been on the water a total…wait…Once!😳 Too cold, then way too hot and hubby working shift work…we have something planned in the coming weeks so maybe some new material for our blog…
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Well, I went and messed up our summer of hanging out and paddling on the river – hopefully the rest of your summer turns out better.
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Please hang in there and keep us supporters updated as we need your wit to keep us going!
The Hubby and I were out last week for a nice few days but weather conditions were not great. Did see LOTS of storks.😊
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Will do – doing a lot of laughing at myself lately ha. I’m jealous on the Stork front – we tried hunting them down in Florida this year, but came up empty. Happy paddling!
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Amazing the runs you go on. The raven is another of my favorite birds, I have a pair that nest at our place here. They are quite beautiful birds. 🙂
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Linda has much less complimentary words she uses for my addiction…I mean hobby. Jealous you have better access to the Raven than we do. It takes a serious bit of travel to enjoy them. Honestly, I think some of the Raven genes are starting to cross pollinate with our local Crows as they appear to be getting much larger year after year. The Crows we see in other parts of the country always seem smaller. Take care and tell your Ravens hi from us.
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We don’t get to enjoy Mr. Poe’s big black bird here in Florida. We just pretend crows are responding to our requests to hold still for a portrait when they fly away cawing: “Nevermore!”.
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I was just mentioning to Sandra below that I think our Crows are getting shockingly large. They are either eating well with all the local fields full of growing crops (and the critters living in them) or they are doing some gene pool mixing with these Raven beasts. Just make sure those Crows do not come “tapping, tapping at your chamber door!”. As always, appreciate you dropping by Wally.
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Nice series on the raven – last one I saw was in Colorado, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, a fittingly-named habitat.
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That is a very fitting habitat ha! We are lucky enough to see them at least every other year if not more frequent – I know I can always say “wanna go to Vegas” and know that Linda will have the tickets bought, the reservations made and a birding itinerary planned before I finished the next sentence. Sounds like we should check out the Black Canyon when we are in the area as well! Thanks for dropping by, happy birding.
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I never grow tired of watching and listening to ravens. One of our fellow birders claims that he distinguishes ravens from crows because the former “always do something interesting,” whereas, in his opinion, crows aren’t quite as entertaining.
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Now that is an interesting distinction! The Crows around here spend their days just staring at me for some reason which as your fellow birder noted isn’t that interesting (although it can be a bit unnerving when there is a murder of them. I am pretty sure our Crow lines are intermixing with the Raven lines as they keep getting bigger and bigger every year. Either that or we built over radioactive land! Thanks for dropping in Tanja and apologies for the late response.
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No need to apologize. You had good reasons–or maybe bad reasons! I hope you are healing.
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Coming along…never as fast as I want it to, but Linda is keeping me under control ha.
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I do like Ravens, but a new family of them nearby chased away my “pet” Cooper’s Hawk. Hope they are just visiting for the summer!
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Bummer, I am also fond of the Coops, but I will say they do like to buzz our feeders from time to time when they want a seed-eater snack. Other than that, they tend to keep our Squirrel population under control which is perfectly fine with me!
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I’ve always been a Poe fan, too. Ravens are one of the few birds I’ve seen flying in the distance over the past month while “our birds” have been missing. They are also the bird we see here in large numbers during periods with lots of snow. I really enjoyed this post, Brian. Have a great weekend! 🌞
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Glad you like the post Lisa! Poe fascinates me – something about someone devolving into madness that definitely intrigues me for some reason. I remember you mentioned the lack of birds out there – very odd indeed. Went birding with my brother Ron over last weekend and I must say it was pretty sparse out, but that isn’t too out of line for us here in the Midwest during the hot months. Let’s hope the birds find their way back to your neck of the woods. Appreciate you dropping in and big apologies for being so late on the response.
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