Chihuahuan Raven

Years ago, when our town had an open dump, ravens were quite common. And comical too as they hopped down the main street sidewalks. But since I started photographing birds, I rarely see them at close range and still don't have a good shot of our northern Common Raven. So, I was pleasantly surprised when, at the Buenos Aires NWR, SW of Tucson, I ran into a pair of Chihuahuan Ravens, a distinct species. We were advised to keep a close eye on all food stuffs as the pair were known to authorities! Chihuahuan Ravens are larger than crows, but not as large as our northern species. That's the way it goes, I guess; I've heard that the Alaskan sub-species is even larger than our MN variety.

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Very nice captures. Always have to keep an eye on the Corvids, but especially the big ones Never quite know what they're gonna get up to.

Fabulous photos Al and very interesting characters.

A pair of great shots, Al, but that 2nd one is special to me. Like he's pondering what mischief he can get into next.

Snydremark wrote in post #17957176
Very nice captures. Always have to keep an eye on the Corvids, but especially the big ones Never quite know what they're gonna get up to.

cannylad wrote in post #17957893
Fabulous photos Al and very interesting characters.

ardeekay wrote in post #17957926
A pair of great shots, Al, but that 2nd one is special to me. Like he's pondering what mischief he can get into next.

Thanks guys; I'm glad you enjoyed them.

Great captures! I've always admired Ravens for their intelligence....I once viewed a PBS special on Ravens showing one hanging around a guy ice fishing....he had to leave temporarily and the Raven flew to the fishing hole, grabbed the fishing line, pulled it up and ate the fish on the line....amazing!

JimLittle wrote in post #17958119
Great captures! I've always admired Ravens for their intelligence....I once viewed a PBS special on Ravens showing one hanging around a guy ice fishing....he had to leave temporarily and the Raven flew to the fishing hole, grabbed the fishing line, pulled it up and ate the fish on the line....amazing!

Thanks, Jim. I like ravens too. And its seems most of the corvids are quite intelligent. I've heard of climbing expeditions on Denali in AK that have been ruined when ravens broke into the food stuffs while the climbers were gone.