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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Love the 10 facts, very enlightening. There is a legend that England will fall if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London. It is still taken seriously and they don’t let them all out at once.
Yes, somebody just reminded me of this, and I have seen them on several occasions. I love this legend casting ravens in a saviour role. I think it is more accurate than all the River Styx associations.
Quwaaark.
Fun post and great shots! You captured his character extremely well. They are amazing creatures, to be sure.
Well thank you! Most appreciated & happy Friday!
Happy Friday to you too!
A los animales de color negro siempre se les ha tratado, injustamente, como malditos. Yo creo que los cuervos son bellos y tus fotos, Cindy, lo demuestran. Son muy inteligentes, como bien dices y a mí me gustan. Un abrazo y buen fin de semana, amiga. <3
Tu tiene un buen corazon porque ves mas alla de su reputacion injusto para el pajaro hermoso que realmente es. Gracias amiga mia! <3 <3
Ravens and crows my very favorites. I can’t tell you what a treat this was for me…to see this beautiful Raven so close up. Thank you so much. This was wonderful and I’m so happy I got to see it.
Yay! Makes me so happy to hear you enjoyed him my friend! It takes a good person to see beyone the ravens bad reputation to the clever creature he really is. Thank you!
What a wonderful creature! Thanks so much. Pip
Yay, I love raven lovers!
Great post Cindy and wonderful photos: -D
Thank you Irene and happy Friday!
The way you’ve captured the raven is amazing. I’ve never thought their coat of feathers was pretty but I have to hand it to you . . . you must have found the nicest one possible. I don’t remember them travelling in flocks or even pairs so there goes my ‘nicest one possible’ theory. I don’t think I’ve seen a raven since growing up and leaving the ranch. They used to give me the creeps.
Interestingly, they travel in flocks while they are adolescents, something like age 1-3, and then they pair off and mate for life if possible, returning again and again to the same nest.
I guess I need to respect them a bit more since they try to mate for life. That’s not always simple in today’s environment.
Oh my, Lewis Carrol’s friend. Wonderful. Thank you for sharing this. Birds rock!
LOVE ravens! We have lots of them out where I am. It’s great when there’s a flock of juveniles all hanging out together, making a racket and having a good time.
They are funny aren’t they. I always imitate their calls and they answer back!
I love all your posts, Cindy. But this one really captures the beauty and spirit of these magnificent birds.
Oh, I am so glad. If I can do them a small bit of justice than I am happy. Thank you! <3
Haha, I so love your post and ravens. Great photographs of this clever and beautiful bird. It is so fun how he is trying to tell you to move away from his territory. In my town there was a man who raised a raven. He must be still alive, the raven 🙂
Yes, when I was a kid someone had a Raven too, but I can’t remember who. We have lots of ravens at The Holler, but I have never seen a nest. Ravens can live up to 40 years in captivity, so you can figure if he might still be alive.
I would love to believe he is alive 🙂 God bless all the creatures with long and happy life!
Amen!
Reblogged this on Voices and Visions.
Hugs & gratitude! <3 <3
Fabulous photos, Cindy and Poe’s poem was perfect for it. It has always been one of my favorites. Hugs, N 🙂 <3
Thank you so much Natalie and have a wonderful weekend~
A fascinating post Cindy. The link to the raven facts is very interesting too. We are plagued with ravens, we used to have lots of beautiful native rosellas, lorikeets and king parrots but all gone now the ravens have moved in. The only bird that can stand up to them is the noisy minor who harass the ravens in gangs.
Ravens are tough birds and they do take over eco-systems, but they succeed because they are so smart and so adaptive.
And they say “bird brains!” Not in this case though…
beautiful post..and photos…:-)
Thank you sincerely~
Such interesting birds, Cindy — great job capturing them in their habitat!
He did present me with some optimal kodak moments! Thank you Mr. Raven~
Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
I love ravens…thanks to Cindy for this timely post!
🙂
Love Raven lovers! Thank you for supporting them!
gah! There’s a reason they’re the spooky bird of Halloween. They really must have been at the end of the ‘APPEAL’ lineup. Not only are they cursed by blackness and therefore look forboding, they have the shrillest bird song ever. Cringe worthy really. Poor guys :/
Ahhh, beauty in the eye of the beholder. Up close I think they are fascinating, still you are right, they can’t hold-up looks wise to most other birds, but looks aren’t really that important, and they are smarter than most other birds. I’ve always been a sucker for intelligence over looks. Pretty without smart is oh so boring……
Good point C ! I agree !
I have to think Poe would have loved this set of photos, Cindy. And would have been pleased to have them illustrate his poem. –Curt
Ahhhhh, that is the nicest thing to say. I could have helped him get his raven to change his tune!
“Feed me!” 🙂
When all else fails……. 😉
Why do I get the impression it’s got a REALLY big mouth!!! 🙂
Errrrrr, maybe because it’s so true! 😉
Poe’s The Raven might be my all-time favorite poem! I love this post!
Yay!!! So pleased you enjoyed and happy Sunday!
Happy Sunday to you, too!
I loved the Ravens at the Tower of London. Did you know that they are reared on the Isles of Uist in the far north west of Scotland? Wonderful photographs and very seasonal. I saw some fabulous hand towels in Target with crows on them.
I didn’t know that, but I do remember seeing them on several occasions and being fascinated by them. Both the ravens and the swans are protected by the Queen.
Swans used to be eaten at royal feasts,
Well, now they aren’t! I doubt even the Queen eats them now. Although I suppose she could if she wanted to, but she doesn’t. Check this out. It is pretty hilarious. 😉
See: http://mentalfloss.com/article/22425/queen-owns-swans-and-other-swan-stories
“Though it’s generally fallen out of favor and tends to be illegal for many, people still, on some very rare occasions, eat swans. But before you try, note that in England at least, you could very well be arrested: Back in the day, the offense was called “swanage,” the killing and eating of swans by unauthorized persons; now, since wild swans are also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, which prohibits the intentional killing or harming of the animals, it’s just called a felony.”
Now you do have me confused about British law. So if the queen, who owns the swans, decided to eat one, would she be convicted for a felony, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act?
Great shots of the raven and you caught the personality and character of this one.
You said it! He was definitely quite a character! 😉
Ha, I love the creative slant you have with your words and this post ~ and such awesome shots of the raven (so hard to shoot as well). Wonderful.
Thank you Randall. Ravens are tough to photograph aren’t they. They need to be practically on your lap which this one was! 😉
Great photos you got of those Ravens! They intimidate me somehow.
That is understandable. They are quite assertive!
You are great for a blogger and gifted for a writer because you have the power to express everything into lines…
Well visa versa 2 U X 2! I love your blog too~
What do you mean? I’m well.. unfortunately… 12 years old. Please be clear. I didn’t understand..!!
PS You’re awesome!
Quite a bird this raven, so now you can read the lips of animals……”nevermore” he said. You´re like the dog whisperer but in general, the animals whisperer
Except of course, I make it all up!!! This raven was just saying CAW CAW CAW!! 😉 😉
I was doing this a sec ago 🙂 , but a prettier face though
Laughing…….
Cindy, have a wonderful week ahead! 🙂
Awww, you too my friend~ <3
Thanks! Take care, my friend! 🙂
Great captures of the wise bird! Thanks for sharing the link too, quite amazing facts!
I was pretty impressed. Glad you enjoyed!
Ravens are fascinating and beautiful when photographed in such detail! And sometimes the noise is deafening! Nice poetry too Cindy!
We just had a flock of about 50 fly overhead. The noise was deafening!
ear plugs? 🙂
Good idea!
Isn’t that Blue black enchanting? Nice blog! Light and Love, Shona
Yes, it can have a highlights of color (blues, purples) seen in the light that is fascinating.
They are such powerful birds. You can see why people can be wary of them.
Very true!
Poes poem is as always great – and the photos are of course very fitting…I can almost hear him…
Yes, his screeches do carry! 😉
Very smart indeed!
Remarkable isn’t it!
Wonderful Cindy, a bird I’ve always wanted to see but never have. Maybe one day 🙂 Cheers Cindy
I hope you do. They do have them at The Tower of London!
Yes they are very clever!
<3
Very good indeed Cindy, you’ve captured the birds personality in these pictures, that’s a rarity!! 🙂
Thank you! It is hard to do justice to the complexity of a raven, because they are so monochromatic.
Cindy, love these raven pictures. They can be noisy at times. They truly are very intelligent birds.
Hugs! Veraiconica
Yes, they are noisy, especially when there is an unkindness of them. A group of ravens are called an unkindness, probably for this reason!
Nice! I’ve never gotten to see them this close yet before )) Their color is amazing
Suprising isn’t it! I didn’t expect the variations in feather texture.
Food always works!
YES! But, I can only speak for myself…….
😀
💚
<3 <3
Smart but scary looking, fab photos Cindy 👍🏻
Their voice would be a big cacaphonous disappointment to you, unless of course you were in the mood for some riotous screeching, which we all probably are in the mood for at one time or another! 😉
It would make an interesting musical piece for sure, screeching before a very dramatic movement hmmmm 😜
Have a great weekend
Best wishes
Charlotte
Or, maybe better yet, you could do it in private when you are really irritated! I think I will try it. 😉
I scanned th comments which are always fun and interesting, Cindy. Did not find mine so apparently I pressed like and thought I had said my 2 cents. 🙂
I like the blue sheen on ravens black wings and bidy. Funny how sure they are and unafraid of you, telling you off!! Wekk, glad to have photos of birds which I love. I an not nearly as pushy as this one. Ha ha! Always liked the Telltale Heart,and The Raven. Poe could write mournful words. . .
I love your comments. They are always so thoughtful, so thank you for taking the time to come back and post this one. The blue sheen is beautiful isn’t it! I guess it illustrates the term, “blue-black!” Happy weekend Robin. <3 <3
What a brilliant writer, Poe. You’ve done wonderful justice here illustrating his words. I didn’t know ravens were highly intelligent. Intriguing!
Martha Stewart is right, we “can learn something new everyday” and she is very organized! 😉 😉
That Martha!
She is something else!
Okay this is way tooooo cool!! Because….we have a book that we’re working on right now, that was the first book we ever wrote. New Salem Chronicles The 13 Reapers. This book is about a traveling witch (Asaria Lunella) whose companion is an enchanted Raven (Brenin). So I can’t tell you how much we enjoyed this post. We also popped over to the link you left and were freaking out over the facts about them. Awesome!! Sharing this now!! 😉 xoxo
Asaria is a very smart witch to have a raven for a familiar, but what do I expect from a witch created by you two bewitchingly clever ladies!!! <3 <3
awesome shots, Cindy <3
Thank you my friend and cheers to you!
So interesting
Happy you think so & Happy Monday!
Thanks for posting this. I’ve always loved that poem.
It is an epic isn’t it! Poor Poe!
I get the willies when I see these birds. I blame Hollywood!
good stuff 🙂
Grazie!
You are very welcome 🙂