But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—
Then the bird said “Nevermore.”
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
“Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store
Caught from some unhappy master……”
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”
I was as puzzled as Poe.
But, unlike Poe, I found a way, to stop the raven from endlessly screeching.
Move away from his food Poe, and he’ll say thank you, instead of screaming nevermore!
This raven carried on forever until we realized we were preventing him from reaching his cache of whatever he was eating. We moved and silence reigned. Still, I developed some empathy for poor Poe!
Ravens are highly intelligent birds with intellects similar to Chimpanzees. Check out this link for 10 facts you probably didn’t know about ravens:
http://mentalfloss.com/article/53295/10-fascinating-facts-about-ravens
Cheers to you from the very smart, and finally quiet, Raven~
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I love this! Very poetic and fantastic pictures! Glad you finally got peace and quiet ha ha
Poor Poe, of course he was using drugs too which probably didn’t help much……
yeah I am sure!!! I loved the pictures!!
Awww, thank you!
This poor Poe must be quite friendly that let you take such close up pictures. I like that he calmed down in the last picture. These are nice captures of Poe!
Ravens are fascinating. The groups you may see being bullies are teenagers. They grow out of it!
Great photos. You are quite a pesky paparazza!
I really have become a pesky wildlife pap! Poor creatures~
Ravens are stunning birds. Your photos are beyond amazing. Looking forward to whatever you discover next!! 🙂
They really are beutiful when you see their feathers close up. They have different textures and are blue black. Lovely~
Are these ravens or crows?
This is a raven. Crows are a bit smaller.
Hilarious post Cindy! Wonderful close-ups of this exquisite bird, and I really liked getting some of Poe’s words, mixed in with the discovery of how to quiet his raucous cawing. 🙂
If only Poe had thought to toss him a treat!
Love the poetry, the pix and your solution to the problem! 🙂
It was like, “How long do I have to keep telling you? Move dumb human…” We finally got it!
Perfect!
Thank you. He’s a beauty though often maligned.
Who knew Ravens were rebels with a cause!
Love it! They are just that!
Never get between a raven and his dinner! 🙂
Just like Martha says, you can learn something new everyday!
Loved your photos and your link. Someone actually trained a raven to say, “Nevermore” – amazing how it sounded just like a man!
I know that was hilarious wasn’t it!! Glad you watched it! 🙂
They are the most intelligent as well the most devious creatures.. I once had a different experience, though… I found a little crow.. fallen out of its nest.. and since the gangs were descending down upon any humans who passed by, raucous and combative and protective, I took this little fella home.. I called it Martin Crowe (After a NZ cricketer and cousin of Russell Crowe)..
He was quite a fellow.. very attached and very sharp.. but unfortunately he became collateral damage in another war, in which he was not involved at all.. a mongoose attacked all the birds one night.. and Kitey Brahminy Kite died, Martin Crowe died.. and a few others.. all sleeping in a little shack, which was their home.. just because my dogs had murdered the mongoose mother’s brood a couple of days earlier..
Gosh, I am always rambling here.. sorry, Cindy, growing senile by the day… 🙂 Sorry
Mongoose are fascinating. I watched them for hours both in Africa and in the Caribbean. And yes, the corvids (crows, ravens, magpies etc) are super intelligent. They can imitate human speech and sounds like engines and computer noises. They reason up there with dolphins and chimpanzees. They remember human faces and people who do bad things to them for years. They recognize other ravens they haven’t seen for up to three years and they have empathy for each other. They are so adaptable which is why they are such good survivors. They can live in the snow, or desert, practically anywhere. In North America they are like coyotes in terms of adaptability, which is why both species prosper.
True.. and I am amazed you know so much about them. Thank you.. yes, I have known them fairly well. My wife feeds them every day.. they gather over here and are quite upset if she forgets.. then they start nipping at the dogs’ tails.. or just be annoying with their cawing.. and most of all, they have this real irate look..
I do not differentiate between one specie or the other, but these people are rather special.. super-intelligent.. shrewd, smart, cunning..
Most of all, they are my special warning system.. whenever there is a venomous snake around, they all gather like it is some village fair and tell me where the snake is.. it is always amazing.. (there are a few other early warning system birds too, but that is just another thing.. like Robins, pheasants.. always alert)..
Thank you for this post and for your reply.. appreciate it
Yes, they will watch a dead snake for hours, before they will approach it. They are so smart, they know how snakes play dead. We have lots of ravens where I live and not too many people, so I interact with them too, but unlike you I have never had a raven for a pet. If I found a hatchling I would raise it though. I do feel wild birds watch over me, like hawks and hummingbirds and I call back and forth with ravens all the time. It sounds like we both love wild birds.
Ooohhh, I just love ravens and your photos really captured this one’s majestic qualities! So expressive and clearly trying to communicate with you Cindy, wow! I hope to have an encounter with a raven at some point in my life, though I’ve heard they don’t hang out in city/residential areas as much as crows do. ~Lynn
We have flocks of them here at The Holler. Come on by, I’d be happy to introduce you. I imitate their calls and they answer back!
Oh that would be so much fun! I’ll let you know if I ever plan to be in the area. <3
Please do!
Lol! Nice post! Of course the beautiful black bird means … never more without some yummy food!
You are nevermore having one second of peace human unless you get away from my food!!! I feel just like this if I miss lunch.
Fabulous photos as always, Cindy. I don’t know if we have ravens here but that bird looks a bit like our crows. I’ve seen them perched on a dead kangaroo taking on an approaching road train. They’re not keen on sharing their tucker either.
Wow, crows eating kangaroos on a train track is an image that is going to stick in my brain!!! I’m sure they would holler at the train!! 😉 😉
I should clarify what a road train is. It is a semi-trailer with a think 2 trailers on the back. At least I think that’s the definition. They’re really common over in Western Australia and probably outside major cities. I’ve seen the eagles driving on the Eyre Highway which runs through the Nullarbor Plain from Adelaide to Perth. I’ll have to dig up my old photos and write a few posts xx Ro
I can’t wait to see the posts, especially the eagles! Sounds like an incredible sight! Please do dig them up and post them.
I jumped up and was out the door
Down to the corner store
Spilled a bottle of bleach on the floor
Asked if I could get some more
The shopkeeper dolefully replied
NEVERMORE !!!
Great pics, Cindy ……. 🙂
Cracking, up! Hilarious cuz! 😉 😉
Super post Cindy. Enjoyed the poem and thought the bird should be banished to the ‘Forever Moor.’
You can’t banish a raven. They thrive everywhere, even a moor. All you can do is get out of the way of their lunch!
Amazing photographs of an amazing bird!
Yes, they are a remarkable bird and are amazing to interact with.
Bravo, dear Cindy, for all your posts! They are super! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
Visa versa 2 U X 2!
Thanks a bunch, Cindy! 🙂
The Raven is a bird of death where I come from (Austria/Italy). Whenever we see a raven alone, sitting still or posing we know (or believe) that someone close to us will be dying. I never felt too comfortable looking at them, even though I am not superstitious. Our dogs bark at them, when they want to land in our trees and they get a treat afterwards…not that I am superstitious..but it’s good to be on the safe side. 🙂
Yes I have heard of this widely held belief and even here they are much maligned. And yet check out Tejaswi’s comment above. He & his wife feel they protected by them.
Gosh, he is pretty scary up close! Brilliant photos Cindy … and I love the repartee 🙂
He was a tad insistent until we figured out what he was saying to us. “Move you lug heads!” 😉
Lol….
Your story cracked me up! Who knew that was the way to shut a raven up? 😀 I don’t see very many photos of calling ravens, so I especially enjoyed the ones you posted, Cindy. This is perfect for bird day, too!
Yay!! So happy you enjoyed and cheers to you!
Thank you, Cindy. This was fun to read and view. Ravens are beautiful up close–wonderful details you’ve captured.
Blessings ~ Wendy
They are beautiful and before this they were hard to photograph, the photos just came out monochromatic. But this guy got up close and personal so I got better pics!
When I lived in Northern Canada, the Ravens were are constant companions. Brilliant and beautiful creatures.
Yes, sacred to many Native Americans and Canadians. And I know you carry this blood. So glad you appreciated them.
Beautiful shots, love the “hairy” feathers on the bill pointing forward…yeah ravens love the food.
I know aren’t those feathers interesting. I have no idea what purpose they serve, except possibly to keep debris and snow out of the naries…….
I guess he was saying, “back off!”
One of his cousins, a resident crow, tried to poop on me yesterday. He missed.
Uh oh, hate to say it but this must mean your on their s*** list! Laughing…… I suggest you leave some nuts immediately! 😉 😉
I might need a whole lot of nuts cuz it seems I’m on everyone’s s*** list these days… lol! Think I’ll get an umbrella instead. 🙂
So vivid are these images I have goose bumps.
How cool is that for the month of Halloween!!
Beautiful creatures. A bit scary looking but still beautiful with those shades of intense jewel-tone blue reflected. I like the shots you captured with their mouths closed, they look thoughtful haha! Cheers, Cindy.
Yes, after he was finally able to communicate his intent to the dense humans, he calmed down and looked quite handsome really! 😉
Although I’m not native English speaker I cannot imagine other way to evoke it other than English. Great homage and cute fellow. Thank you, Cindy 🙂
Thank you more for liking him!
And I love your photographs as well ^_^
So thoughtful of you and so appreciated!
He was very satisfied after the eating. Fantastic photos of a likewise bird. We have a lot of crows living around our new place, they look quite simular…except of the size of course 😀 Pawkisses for a wonderful weekend 🙂 <3
Visa versa 2 U X 2 and I am pleased you like our clever friend!
Ist das nicht eine Krähe, ein Rabe ist grösser?
Dies ist der Rabe. Er war ziemlich groB! Beifall bis du mein Freund und ich danke Ihnen fur Ihren Besuch ~
sehr schön…
Danke liebe Ernst und Jubel, Ihnen mein Freund ~
Fab bird, fab photos!
Fabber comment. Thank you!
∩(︶▽︶)∩
How on earth do you so this???????
They’re just some symbols put together. You can just copy and paste it in your comments! (*＾▽＾)／
Beautiful raven photos!!!! I love the poem along with the pics!!! Have a wonderful weekend my friend! Hugz Lisa and Bear
Hugs back to you guys. I know you are happy that it is Friday! <3
In the Discworld novels there’s a raven called Quoth. He says, ‘I don’t do the N word, so don’t ask.’ 😉
Yeah, it’s been done before pretty well!!! 😉
Still a funny joke.
Indeed! 🙂
Beautiful closeups of the raven, such a magnificent bird.
Do they even teach Poe in schools today? When one of my sons was in 6th grade he lost interest in reading due to some remarks a teacher made about boys and what they should or shouldn’t read (boys don’t read poetry, this or that book is too advanced for a 6th grader to read, even though he was an advanced reader, etc.). Any parent of a 6th grade boy knows they have a fascination with the macabre, so I pulled out my complete Poe and we started with ‘The Raven”, “Annabel Lee,” “The Tell-Tale Heart” and on to “The Cask of Amontillado.” He was hooked. Not only did he enjoy Poe, his love of reading reading was restored. Coincidentally, my son and Poe shared a birthday. Sorry to go off on this tangent, but thoughts of Poe always take me here.
You are a smart woman to recapture his interest in this creative way. I remember ‘The Telltale Heart’ freaking me out when I was young. Heck, if I read it now, it probably still would!
The first time I read Tell-Tale Heart I was in 8th grade and it was a Halloween homework assignment. It really freaked me out. I was babysitting, the little girls were in bed, and I kept calling my mom. Every creak in that house had me on edge.
Great pictures and great post! 🙂
I don’t have ravens in the neighbourhood but I do have a whole population of crows and they are certainly as fascinating! I love to listen to their chattering and sometimes it really sounds like a comedy show with the ‘public’ applauding or laughing after a lengthy solo by one of them… they almost sound human! 😀
I believe it! If you watch the video on the link you will hear a crow talking and the imitation is so far superior to that of parrots because they mimic the sound, timbre, accent and cadence of a human voice so perfectly, that at first when I heard the raven talk, I was looking for the human!
And I can believe that… 😀 To me they sound like talking in a language among themselves that I still have to learn, like Chinese, Japanese…
Somehow I had missed the video the first time round… I would look around for the human too! 😀
Amazing aren’t they!
Fantastic:)
He is more handsome close up than we give him credit for being!
Fantastic photos like all the photos!
Oh that is so kind! Thank you.
This would be a great Halloween post. The raven looks so grim at the beginning. It looks capable of removing my eyes! However, I am glad you finished this witty post by pointing out how wonderful the raven really is. Silly Poe.
Poor Poe. I think he may have been high as a kite when he wrote The Raven. He had such a talent to paint photos with his words, even when under the influence, but the raven did get an unfairly bad rap with the poem.
Aah – Nevermore – you’re bringing in the master who introduced me to human psychological suspense! Poe was the lead for such acclaimed authors as King, Carpenter, Gaiman & Barker – listen to your crows Cindy, you may have a writing prompt there.
Yep I am a big admirer of all of these authors and am impressed you read Gaiman too! I still think ‘The Stand,’ was one of the best books I’ve ever read. It completely captured me.
My library, which stretches from my 3-piece wall unit in the dining room into the 3-piece wall unit in the living room and out into the Florida room – all toll, close to 500 books – everything you can think of – but NO romance novels!! I have nothing against romance itself, but the books seem to be same plot but different names and places…….
I am not a fan of that genre myself. I love non-fiction the most and I suspect you do too.
Awww..poor Poe…but you’ve taken some cute pictures and the raven posed very well… 🙂
He redeemed himself beautifully didn’t he! 😉
Cindy — you’ve outdone yourself! Loved it. Mega hugs!
Laughing, actually the raven deserves all the credit. He provided the story and the visuals!
Yup, Cindy, love my crows..they fly in circles around me in the morning and I circle back..it’s communication and comraderie, I’ve long considered them my spirit totem…their intelligence is amazing..great post and pics!!!
You are so right. Crows know who you are, trust you if your are good to them, and distrust you if you are mean. They remember a mean act by a human for up to three years. You are wise to befriend the crows.
In addition, they are intelligent, they just live long. Who knows, might be that one on your picture has seen George Washington. 🙂 There are a lot of legend related to these birds. Some of these gorgeous creatures even are treated like kings (Ravens of the Tower of London). Definitely, it is not just an ordinary bird.
Oh, I forgot about the ravens at The Tower. Thank you for reminding me. Ravens are simply remarkable. I know some Native American cultures revered them and felt they were linked to the origin of the world.
Amazing photos. I just watched a special on PBS on the high intelligence of crows (a close relative). I know that some people don’t like crows/ravens because they are one of the few birds more raucous than a blue jay — but the crow is my spirit bird — and I am quite at peace when they are around. I’m used to starting my day with crows flying around my backyard but today it is pouring rain (sorry I know you need some of that) so it is with great joy that I was able to share your ravens. 😀
Yay!! Anyone who appreciates corvids is a friend of mine. Your crows are probably watching out for you. Animals do this and it is wonderful when they do, so I can understand your feelings of peace in the company of your crows.
I hope lots of people read your comment and realize more than just our pets are our animal companions.
What glorious photos! I spent quite a while admiring the texture and colors and what I can only call the “attitude” of this beautiful bird. And to have Poe’s famous verse alongside was a special treat….ominous, pensive, metaphysical. Now I’m in the right mood for Hallowe’en!
Yes, I confess to loving Poe and ravens! Obviously Poe felt some pretenatural power emanating from his raven too. I was surprised by the photos especially the textures and differential shading of the feathers. I have tried to take photos of ravens before, but since they are all black, they never looked like much. This guy got so close for so long, that we really got a chance to see his beauty. So glad you appreciate him my friend. <3
Hi Cindy you must have an awesome camera, I’m assuming these pictures of the Raven’s are a result of a zoom lens? excellent 🙂
Actually only a little zoom in these shots. We were in a campground and he got very, very close to us, within a few feet actually, which was suprising and delightful!
Wow Raven’s actually come that close to human’s, their brave 🙂
That 6th shot is stunning. So regal and magestic…when they are not screeching! 🙂
Yes! The placid look is most attractive, but the screeching ones got our full attention~ 😉