raven

The raven has earned a prominent place in the mythology of the northern peoples. According to various Pacific Northwest Tribes, Raven is the god who created earth, moon, sun, stars and people. Intelligent, cunning and mysterious, it is never evil, but often mischievous.

Ravens are a part of the forest, flapping determinedly towards some unknown destination, performing aerobatic follies in pairs or trios, croaking loudly somewhere in the distance. They are everywhere, from the dense river forests, to the broad muskegs and meadows. In the mountains they play and circle on the rushing updrafts.

Big, black and beautiful, its highly glossed plumage shows iridescent blues, greens, and purples, shining like a black dewdrop in the light.. It dives and rolls like a black thunderbolt out of the sky or speeds along with liquid, gliding strokes. They are successful where ever they may be. But then, who should know better how to live on the land than its own designer?

Excerpts from the book "Ravens in Winter" by Bernd Heinrich