Whatever

Because I know a good vantage point when I see one?

 

Breakfast first

 

Oh there are Ravens here alright.


Story Time With Gritto

Once upon a time, long ago...
I had moved back to PA and Mrs Gritto and I had just recently got hitched.

On a fine Spring day, I was in the back yard and saw a crow steal a nestling from a Blue Jay nest.
The Blue Jay parents were frantic.
That pissed me off.
It was war.

I got Crow calls and camo.
I studied their habits and located the roosting areas of the guilty flock in the State Forest.
I'd bushwhack 'em and kill a couple at a time.
The smart bastards got very wary and would change their roosts, so I had to adapt.
Back and forth it went.

One day I called in a particularly large "Crow".
It was all alone, no flock to be seen.
As I was drawing a bead, it let out a croak.
Huh?
I looked more closely.
A Raven!
He must have been curious about the weird sounding crow (me).
No shooty shoot for you.

In the years following, I saw or heard them regularly in the mountains while I was hunting.
Their call is unmistakable.
On windy Winter days up in the mountains, they're one of the few birds aloft.
A mated pair will do aerobatics together high in the air and call to each other.
They're obviously doing it for fun and the windier it is, the better.
It's amazing to witness.

Now, Ravens aren't as prolific as Crows and need a large territory, but I think they're on the increase.
Last October, Mrs Gritto and I were at the Applebees.
Damned if a Raven didn't fly low right over us in the parking lot.
The croak made me look up.
Large size, longish boat tail, deep croak.
Check check check.
And if it's close enough to make them out, other identifying features are the shaggy throat feathers and crooked beak.

It makes me very happy to know they are there in Michaux State Forest

 

Kinda looks like a face though

 

Thats so awesome!!!!! That makes me happy too.

We saw a coopers hawk out our window this morning. Sitting in one of the trees.

 

This poll sucks. Where’s the Dr Pepper?

Good Morning Whateverers

 

It's good to see them as well.
Years ago they were persecuted (like all hawks were) and were uncommon.

 

@Gen1TacoLady

If you were to hike up to *Raven Rock now and then, sooner or later I bet you'll see a Raven.

*hint

 

60 years old and I have never eaten artichoke

I’ve built up an immunity. I can drink it anytime. Also, I never sleep anyway

Scientific research proves that sharks will only attack if you’re wet

 

Earlier snow didn’t amount to much ,just a dusting . It’s coming down hard now !

 

Random

 

is that a cardinal? We see them every once in awhile around here. They are beautiful

 

Yes t here were 4 males all near a pile of seed my FIL put out at his house .

 

Got 2 in this photo

 

Last nights DINNER
Chicken in garlic ,white wine and lemon !
BLTs tonight