Early in February on one cold morning, I was out and about when I heard several ravens calling out. When you hear several ravens, always there is something interesting going on. It could be a predator near or a carcass they are feeding on or both. I was getting closer, but also I was being cautious. I did not want to come upon a scene where I was putting myself in danger. Knowing the area inside out, reduced the risk. As I got closer I could tell there were up to 20 ravens, Many of them were flying near a tree and when some went toward the ground, they seem to stay two meters above it. I moved without getting closer to get a better view, they were mobbing a bird, a Great horned Owl. It was among the willow shrubs, looking calm as the ravens around it were flying or perched on nearby trees, all calling out. I stayed back as to have no effect on any of the birds. It’s nature at work. Here the ravens were mobbing the owl, other times I have seen ravens getting mobbed by various other bird species. For the ravens there is a benefit by mobbing and removing the owl from the area, providing less competition for food. But there is also a risk, the owl attacking one of the ravens, but with more ravens the risk is reduced. It was hard to get a picture of the owl and at least some of the ravens, so instead I focused on the owl when it looked toward me with frost above its eyes, caused by the steam coming off the water nearby.
