Backyard Action

Lola has been telling us that something is going on in the back yard. She staions herself at the French doors, looks out and barks, frantically. At first we didn't realize why she sped straight to the olive tree. Now we know why!

Every day, since the olives have ripened, two ravens come to pay a visit. One lights atop the wall and sends a racous CAWWWW to the other, who quickly appears.

In the meantime, the first raven has picked up a black olive from the ground and has repositioned atop the wall. At first, we thought they were eating the olives, but, after watching them for several days, realized they were passing the olive back and forth , from one beak to the other. I'm not sure they actually consume very many olives (but a few purple splotches on the wall indicate they do) however, I have watched them fly to palm trees and tuck olives into the cavity formed by pruned fronds. Even Borrego ravens have larders full of things to eat should a food shortage occur - and I know of many Borregans who follow the same practice!

Ravens love to play games. I recall watching a group of ravens on a very windy day at Lake Mohave, flying above a bluff. We watched with our field glasses as one after another would drop a stick from talons or beaks and another bird would swoop in to retrieve it-often turning upside down to catch it! They played this game for almost an hour.

Ever find a golf ball somewhere unexpected...perhaps a few miles from the nearest links? We find them here and there, often near telephone poles where ravens feed while perched on the high cross bars. Eggs are a favorite food of ravens. I've seen them pick up an egg in their beak and carry it away. We figure the birds mistake the golf balls for eggs and are probably dissapointed when they can't crack them!

We feel so lucky to live in a place where we can observe the animal life of the desert - and we feel even more fortunate to have the time and surroundings to do so!