Comments for Ravens in Hollywood http://ravens.celsius1414.com 598.864 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:31:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Raven’s Eye View by Celsius1414 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/11/18/ravens-eye-view/comment-page-1/#comment-9535 Celsius1414 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:31:57 +0000 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/11/18/ravens-eye-view/#comment-9535 Now I just need some brass goggles and a top hat, and then we can venture forth into the skies! Onward and upward! Tally ho! Now I just need some brass goggles and a top hat, and then we can venture forth into the skies! Onward and upward! Tally ho!

]]> Comment on A corvid mystery on the Bay by Celsius1414 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/28/a-corvid-mystery-on-the-bay/comment-page-1/#comment-9454 Celsius1414 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:56:59 +0000 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/?p=250#comment-9454 Could it be that there are too many crows and jays, keeping the available food sources down? How much direct competition is there among individual corvids? Could it be that there are too many crows and jays, keeping the available food sources down? How much direct competition is there among individual corvids?

]]> Comment on Of ravens and writers by Celsius1414 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-9453 Celsius1414 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:54:38 +0000 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/#comment-9453 I seem to remember reading about some predator that uses its screeching to freeze its prey long enough to swoop and grab. Not sure if that's the case here. I seem to remember reading about some predator that uses its screeching to freeze its prey long enough to swoop and grab. Not sure if that’s the case here.

]]> Comment on Of ravens and writers by ravens http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-9451 ravens Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:20:42 +0000 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/#comment-9451 Fortunately I saw that about the ravens in the book before I left, because otherwise I'd be really really puzzled! I suppose it's similar to the no-crow zone in the Santa Monica mountains, but that seems easier to explain on grounds of habitat and foraging habits. The only thing I can think of is that Monterey was one of the first places inhabited by people with guns in California - maybe the settlers were wont to shoot at ravens. Then the local birds would have passed on the avoidance to future generations? This may also have happened in the Eastern US. The very vociferous hawk was the first thing I heard again this morning, and I finally caught a glimpse of it too. Not very big but makes a big racket. Still puzzled by a hunting animal that makes so much noise. I suppose they have territories to defend as well. Yesterday while I was downtown, the pigeons and crows were reacting to something hunting, but I never saw it. Fortunately I saw that about the ravens in the book before I left, because otherwise I’d be really really puzzled! I suppose it’s similar to the no-crow zone in the Santa Monica mountains, but that seems easier to explain on grounds of habitat and foraging habits. The only thing I can think of is that Monterey was one of the first places inhabited by people with guns in California – maybe the settlers were wont to shoot at ravens. Then the local birds would have passed on the avoidance to future generations? This may also have happened in the Eastern US.

The very vociferous hawk was the first thing I heard again this morning, and I finally caught a glimpse of it too. Not very big but makes a big racket. Still puzzled by a hunting animal that makes so much noise. I suppose they have territories to defend as well. Yesterday while I was downtown, the pigeons and crows were reacting to something hunting, but I never saw it.

]]> Comment on Of ravens and writers by Celsius1414 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-9449 Celsius1414 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:41:32 +0000 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/#comment-9449 That book is from 1999, by the way, though I don't know for sure if it's been updated with a new edition. <p></p><p> http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/8359.php</p> That book is from 1999, by the way, though I don’t know for sure if it’s been updated with a new edition.

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/8359.php

]]> Comment on Of ravens and writers by Celsius1414 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-9448 Celsius1414 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:38:38 +0000 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/#comment-9448 Check this out, from "The Monterey Bay Shoreline Guide" by Jerry Emory: <p></p><p> <blockquote>"Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) are commonly seen along the shoreline fronting the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. (Interestingly, ravens are extremely rare between the Pajara River and Point Sur, and nobody knows why. They mostly stick to points north, in Santa Cruz County, although bird-watchers have recently seen pairs of ravens in Moss Landing, along the Salinas River, and at Point Sur.)"</blockquote> </p><p></p><p> The Pajaro forms the border between Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, and Point Sur is of course down in the Big Sur area south of Monterey. </p><p></p><p> http://books.google.com/books?id=3QXpSeUxooAC&lpg=PA276&ots=1bslehf79z&dq=ravens in monterey&pg=PA276#v=onepage&q=ravens in monterey&f=false</p> Check this out, from “The Monterey Bay Shoreline Guide” by Jerry Emory:

“Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) are commonly seen along the shoreline fronting the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. (Interestingly, ravens are extremely rare between the Pajara River and Point Sur, and nobody knows why. They mostly stick to points north, in Santa Cruz County, although bird-watchers have recently seen pairs of ravens in Moss Landing, along the Salinas River, and at Point Sur.)”

The Pajaro forms the border between Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, and Point Sur is of course down in the Big Sur area south of Monterey.

http://books.google.com/books?id=3QXpSeUxooAC&lpg=PA276&ots=1bslehf79z&dq=ravens in monterey&pg=PA276#v=onepage&q=ravens in monterey&f=false

]]> Comment on Of ravens and writers by ravens http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-9447 ravens Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:21:42 +0000 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/#comment-9447 Beautiful sunrise today. Motel room faces east. First avian voice of the day was a hawk, followed by crows. Looking out window I can see and hear crows dispersing about the neighborhood here on motel row (Munras Ave and Del Monte shopping center). Yesterday I observed a pair of crows thoroughly inspecting a pine tree's many cones - no doubt looking for tasty insects. Blackbirds at Whole Foods have slipped into the aggressive foraging niche usually occupied by sparrows, happily hopping right next to customers at the tables in front of the store. Inspired by the author of Crow Planet, I have resolved to go everywhere with my binoculars. Beautiful sunrise today. Motel room faces east. First avian voice of the day was a hawk, followed by crows. Looking out window I can see and hear crows dispersing about the neighborhood here on motel row (Munras Ave and Del Monte shopping center).

Yesterday I observed a pair of crows thoroughly inspecting a pine tree’s many cones – no doubt looking for tasty insects. Blackbirds at Whole Foods have slipped into the aggressive foraging niche usually occupied by sparrows, happily hopping right next to customers at the tables in front of the store.

Inspired by the author of Crow Planet, I have resolved to go everywhere with my binoculars.

]]> Comment on Of ravens and writers by ravens http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-9443 ravens Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:57:13 +0000 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/#comment-9443 Lots of crows here, with lots of interesting crow voices. Already heard some new dialect. Two species of jay, lots of blackbirds. I've heard hawks but not really seen them. Alarm calls at one point gave me a good idea of the number of crows around. This region is not unlike Redlands with its tall trees, so it's odd - you'd think ravens would love it here. Maybe the seabirds give them too much competition - but surely that would be the case in LA and SF as well. Lots of crows here, with lots of interesting crow voices. Already heard some new dialect. Two species of jay, lots of blackbirds. I’ve heard hawks but not really seen them. Alarm calls at one point gave me a good idea of the number of crows around. This region is not unlike Redlands with its tall trees, so it’s odd – you’d think ravens would love it here. Maybe the seabirds give them too much competition – but surely that would be the case in LA and SF as well.

]]> Comment on Of ravens and writers by ravens http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-9442 ravens Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:51:22 +0000 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/#comment-9442 Saw a seal and a sea otter already. Discovered the Wild Bird Center and bought absurdly expensive binoculars. OK they were moderately priced but I spent way more than I should have on my budget. The place is like Whole Foods for birders. Saw a seal and a sea otter already. Discovered the Wild Bird Center and bought absurdly expensive binoculars. OK they were moderately priced but I spent way more than I should have on my budget. The place is like Whole Foods for birders.

]]> Comment on Of ravens and writers by Celsius1414 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-9438 Celsius1414 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:17:13 +0000 http://ravens.celsius1414.com/2009/10/23/of-ravens-and-writers/#comment-9438 Enjoy the fresh air! And be sure to check out the pinnipeds in the harbor -- they're awesome. Enjoy the fresh air! And be sure to check out the pinnipeds in the harbor — they’re awesome.

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