I wrote this out for SWF last week, but didn’t get around to posting it, so now I have something for today, even though my friend is visiting and we're out and about all day. I'll stop by and see your skies this evening! The Raven in the photo used to sit atop the western-style gate at my home in the Rocky Mountain foothills, greeting all who came to visit, and no doubt amusing the real ravens. Now he sits on the patio railing and looks out at the lake, but so far no other ravens come to play; maybe one day… I took this photo when the sun was about to set, and was reflected in the raven's shiny black paint, making it appear that he'd 'swallowed the sun.'
Raven Notes
Ravens and humans go back a long time; for millennia even. Raven, a very widespread bird, has been a recurring subject of mythology, folklore, art and literature around the globe. In many indigenous cultures, including those of Scandinavia, ancient Ireland and Wales, Bhutan, North America, Siberia and northeast Asia, the Common Raven has been revered as a spiritual figure or god. Raven is known as a hero, a creator, a trickster, a friend and helper of humans. Along the northwestern coast of North America, Raven figure prominently among the stories of the First Nations people—the Haida, Tlingit, and Kwakiutls to name a few. The story of Raven swallowing the sun belongs to the Koriak people of Siberia.
The Raven and the Sun in Siberia: Among the Koriaks, Raven-Man swallows the sun because Big-Raven declines to give his daughter to him in marriage, whereupon the earth is plunged into darkness. Yine-a-neut, Big-Raven’s daughter, tickles the Raven-Man who swallowed the sun: he opens his mouth and sets the sun free. Pacific Coast: This corresponds to the episodes of the raven cycle of the Pacific coast, in which the Raven liberates the sun. From: http://collections.civilisations.ca/multimedia/3143/392/E2006-02648_02685_01.pdf -
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25 comments:
That's a beauty, Deb! I love that ball of fire within the raven's chest. Heartburn?
Kat
P.S. I'm out today, but tomorrow's a good day to make contact.
This is a very amazing picture! BrautifuL!!
interesting photo and stories/myths about the raven...
This is such a great photo - perfectly named! That Raven is on fire with the sun!
What a neat shot, I didn't realize the raven was that reflective.
Now that is a very artistic Sky Watch photo! I love it!
I love the name of your blog and your photo is wonderful.
A beautiful picture of course, and a beautiful post.
You are amazing. Are you SURE you aren't related to my son-in-law (whose last name is also Godin)? His mind works much like yours. He must learn all there is to learn about any subject that catches his fancy. I love it. I learn so much from both of you.
Great picture! I have yet to see a Raven.
That is an amazing capture.
Your words and your photo are amazing.
Incredible photo and perfect illustration. What a wonderful, wonderful skywatch!
Neat picture, Deb... Love how the sun is reflected on the raven.. Amazing.. I could go a lifetime and never get a shot like that one. AMAZING.
Thanks!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Rich post
lovely glowing raven, you, I mean ;-)
aloha
It is something right ut of a fable book and you have the title already!
Such a creative photo Deb! I love ravens. He had some nesting nearby and they were amazing to observe.
Love that raven...it really adds to the photo.
Are you and your BFF having fun--I would bet that you are.
Such a lovely view from your home. I really liked the backstory on the raven too.
Interesting--I have a fondness for ravens and black birds and red wings, magpies, any dark grey bird ...altho I don't know much about birds-- I've been on the road and trying to catch up here.
I have a bird ID problem:
I have a small family of birds in my yard now that I can't identify. They are slim-line elegant with interesting black tail feathers --sort of scalloped. They are all dark dark grey birds, with a dark bill and wear little black toupees on their heads --a tiny bit smaller than a blue jay, they are very elegant loooking.. I can't find a photo in my bird guide books, but someone told me it might be a flycatcher. I know the other regulars to my yard (nuthatches, chickadees, all sorts of blackbirds, tufted titmice, cardinals, mourning doves, blue jays, mockingbirds, bobwhites, finches, all sorts of woodpeckers, indigo buntings, loads of robins and sparrows, grackles and many more, but this one bird family has me mystified! The bill looks like an insect eating bird or a generalist, food wise. they've been ground feeding when I put Black sunflower seed piles out on my patio.
What a lovely setting... I love how the round sun reflects off the raven's chest. Great capture at just the right time!
a classic post!
Great photography here.
Interesting read about the ravens too.
That is a really cool photo !!!
He does indeed look as though he has swollowed the sun..
Amazing photo, and thanks so much for the information about ravens and raven myths!
Stunning photo work and thanks for the great stories.
Were you a Northern Exposure fan? If so, do you remember the episode a few years in that focused on the Raven, intersecting with the Christmas celebrations? It was pretty amazing!
Thank you, as always, and glad your BFF is there and you 2 are having a ball!
Hi Deborah,
What a beautiful raven and photo. Enjoyed reading the background info.
(I've missed visiting you. I've been out of blogland for several months and used to go by the my nickname of "gel.")
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