The Mystery of the Quiet Morning in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
My friend allows me to share her White Mountain cabin for a few days while we ride our horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. As the morning person in the pair, I get up at sunrise to feed the horses. After a day of riding, I tend to go to bed at sunset, so it works out well.
After tending to the boys, our geldings Poncho and Boogie, I have breakfast. She has a little patio area that is perfect for sitting and enjoying the forest life. In past years, I’ve heard wolves singing, a mustang mare calling to her mate, and the chatter of birds. I’d enjoy when a raven, one of my favorite birds, would fly over.
However, the world has been quiet during my morning repasts. Not a bird song was heard. Very odd and a bit concerning. Absolute silence in a natural area is eerie. Then a pair of ravens would come and hang out with me. They must have a nest in one of the property’s trees.
The silence reigned for four mornings. On the fifth morning, I heard bird songs—actual chirping! I’m not sure what species of bird, but one of those small flitty ones. As I delighted in the sound, I wondered why I hadn’t been hearing them on the previous mornings.
The Mystery Solved
Then I heard it! The caw of approaching ravens. The other birds became quiet. Ah ha! It’s the ravens’ fault. The pair had been hanging around constantly, expressing themselves with different calls.
The birds know that ravens are effective predators, eating whatever they can swallow. They hunt cooperatively and intelligently. They also scavenge, which led to me being tossed from Poncho when we disturbed an unkindness of six ravens picking at the remains of a deer carcass.
I like variety in life. So, I’m willing to enjoy my raven neighbors—or hosts—even if I have to miss out on the company of the other forest animals. For now.
P.S. The ravens did allow me to hear the call of a wild horse and the singing of wolves on a couple of days. They were very generous in not drowning out these treasured sounds. Ravens aren’t entirely unkind!
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