• Blog
  • Books
    • Soul Heeler
    • Monsters In My Yard
    • Sold Out Without The Holdout
    • Burp Gun Bandit
  • Store
  • News & Media
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

The Dudley Files

March 25, 2019 by Cary Robinson

AS THE RAVEN FLIES SO DO I

The year I first met them escapes me. Time has a way of robbing you of recollections. It’s inevitable really.

The first moment I stood across the river I stared straight up on the white bluff of Mount Dudley. My eyes were drawn to the shrill caw of the husband and wife American Ravens. They make a big racket. At first I found it genuinely annoying. But that would soon pass.

I was amazed at how they had ever so carefully placed their nest in branches poking out of the sheer face of the hill in order to make sure no predators could reach their chicks. Ravens are VERY protective of their young. They are terrific parents. I’ve seen them viciously fight off hawks and vultures that are twice their size when they unluckily venture to close to the Raven’s nest. The outsiders can’t fly off quickly enough from the no fly zone. They don’t really like getting dive bombed by a quick and agile determined Raven. It’s really something to see. It always make me wonder why some parents aren’t this attached to their youngsters, but that’s a story for another time.

After the adult Ravens feed their cackling chicks and they get big enough, the chicks finally take flight. It is a sight to behold. The family flies together for days, performing aeronautical feats the likes few have ever seen. They are graceful daredevils riding the waves of wind, diving, climbing, and making hairpin turns at a moments notice. It really is fun and awe inspiring to watch.

But unlike helicopter parents, they know when their offspring need to leave their territory and go off to find one of their own. No, they don’t bribe people to get their chicks into Harvard, Yale, USC, or UCLA. That’s not the way these parents roll. They do their job – very well, and let their offspring go forth and prosper. Sink or swim. Nature can be cruel but also rewarding. Nature plays no favorites.

I really don’t remember how many seasons of new Ravens I have seen born. Probably more that I care to admit. And the Ravens mate for life. They never change partners. Another trait humans might want to sit up and take notice of. But the years have flown just as fast as the Ravens gracefully glide across the sky. I’ve gotten older. I never want to admit it, but I have. Life has had it’s ups and downs and ins and outs, but the one thing that remains constant are my Ravens. They always come back every year at the very same time. Like clockwork. It’s amazing how they do that. They have offspring at the same time every year as well. And they always entertain me and astound me with their antics.

It’s nice to have a constant. It’s nice to know that whatever life throws at you, the Ravens will still be there. I selfishly think they return and repeat every year just for me. But deep down inside I know they don’t. I can’t recall how many seasons I’ve been watching my Ravens, but I know it’s been quite a few. And I take comfort in the fact that long after I’ve been called home the Ravens will carry on. I love that idea. And then, they will be somebody else’s Ravens. And they will probably forget how long they have been observing them. Because no matter what life throws at the next person they will know the one constant they can count on is watching and dreaming of what it’s like to be so free. Free to spread your wings and fly into tomorrow. I find that comforting. Don’t you?

 

Share this!Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Email this to someone
email

Filed Under: Coffee with Careless, The Daily Dudley

About Cary Robinson

Cary Robinson insists that Dudley writes the mystery novels, including Sold Out Without The Holdout and Burp Gun Bandit, while he merely types them up as the two of them sit out by the river and meditate on ways to not get any work done.

Comments

  1. Lucy Ladley says

    March 25, 2019 at 8:48 pm

    Thank you for this inspirational & uplifting story!

Connect With Us

Follow Us On FacebookFollow Us On TwitterFollow Golden Hound Press on LinkedIn

The Daily Dudley

MY DOG NEIGHBORS

MY DOG NEIGHBORS

Robert Frost wrote, "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors." You know what else makes good neighbors? Dogs. That's right, dogs can make good … [...Read More...]

More Posts Listed by Category

  • The Daily Dudley (174)
    • Coffee with Careless (52)
    • More From Golden Hound Press (7)
    • Rescue Stories (43)
    • Texas Hill Country (18)
    • The Adoption Option in Action (19)

Did You Miss These Recent Posts?

  • MY DOG NEIGHBORS
  • WHEN GOD SMILED ON US
  • LIVING IN THE MOMENT

Subscribe to Dudley Files

Stay up to date with our blog posts and rescue stories! Sign up and we'll deliver them right to your inbox. And don't worry, we'll never spam you!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Dudley's book profits help find foster and forever homes for his cousins in shelters and with rescue groups.
  • Rescued Pets Movement
  • BARC Animal Shelters
  • K-9 Angels Rescue
  • Westbury Lost & Found
  • Houston Humane Society
  • [... See More ...]

Click to see some of Dudley's awesome friends and cousins - who can resist?!

© Golden Hound Press / The Dudley Files · All Rights Reserved

MENU
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Soul Heeler
    • Monsters In My Yard
    • Sold Out Without The Holdout
    • Burp Gun Bandit
  • Store
  • News & Media
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe