AmplifiedLIFE

It’s a warm September night here in Austin. We took a short walk over to the Congress Avenue Bridge to see, what has become a major Austin tourist attraction. The largest urban bat colony in North America live under this bridge in the gaps between the concrete. Two million Mexican free-tailed bats. For some perspective, there are only 900,000 PEOPLE living in Austin. Every evening from March through September, the bats come out at dusk, forming a black bat-cloud that spirals out into the sky. This nightly bat-feeding was initially met with fear by the locals, but slowly an appreciation developed for these gentle and incredibly sophisticated animals. Now as the sun sets, a crowd of people gather to watch in fascination. During each nightly foray the bats manage to eat an estimated 30,000 POUNDS of insects, moths, beetles, dragonflies, flies wasps and ants! This spectacle attracts as many as 100,000 tourists annually and it gives an $8 million economic boost to the city of Austin. Did you know that Mexican free-tailed bats are widely regarded as one of the most abundant mammals in North America? They are only about 3 1/2 inches long and weigh about .75 oz. They used to roost in caves and in the halls of trees, but now many bats prefer buildings and other man-made structures. They hunt their prey using echolocation. Bats are also very efficient pollinators. In fact, their pollination of sugarcane, as well as their consumption of insects damaging to sugarcane, is why Bacardi rum features the Mexican free tailed bat as its icon.

A November sunset, circa 2018. Chicago O’Hare airport United terminal, just before my 7pm flight to Ottawa. Watching this footage brings several songs to mind… “All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go… I’m leaving, on a jet plane. Don’t know when I’ll be back again.” John Denver - Leaving on a Jet Plane “But my heart keeps calling me backwards, as I get on the 707… Big ol' jet airliner, don't carry me too far away.” Steve Miller - Jet Airliner “Out on runway number nine, big 707 set to go. Hear the mighty engines roar - see the silver bird on high. She's away and westward bound - far above the clouds she'll fly.” Gordon Lightfoot - Early Morning Rain “See the clouds adrift so far below. Ever changing as they come and go… On this airplane comin' home to you. Sometimes I think I've flown my whole life through, as I wing my way to you.” David Gates - Suite: Clouds, Rain “Revvin' up my engine. I’m like a 747, baby, shiny, lanky, long and lean.” Burton Cummings: My Own Way to Rock

What a great storm here in Ottawa, Canada—complete with driving rain, lightning, window-rattling thunder, and hail stones (big ones!) bouncing off my deck and patio stones. Hail happens when water droplets freeze in the clouds. The temperatures at the top of a cloud are a lot lower than at the bottom, so the droplets freeze rapidly if they are blown to the top of the cloud by up-drafts. Alternating up-drafts and down-drafts can send the hailstones back up to the top of the cloud repeatedly, where they merge each time with more droplets, getting larger and larger, until eventually they fall to the ground as hail. Hailstones larger than .8 inches are usually considered large enough to cause damage and severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when hail that size or above is expected. Hail is particularly dangerous to aircraft. Large hailstones hitting a plane can cause serious damage in seconds. And hailstones accumulating on the ground can also be hazardous to landing aircraft. Automobiles often suffer hail damage, and it’s common in Canada for drivers to report cracked or shattered windshields due to hail. Wheat, corn, soybeans, and tobacco crops are sensitive to hail damage. Between all that auto, aircraft, and crop damage, hail is one of Canada's most expensive hazards. The largest hailstone ever recorded was in South Dakota in 2010. It had an 8-inch diameter and weighed almost two pounds!

Walking through the fields of Val des Monts in Quebec, Canada, we hear the sound of an unusually low and slow-moving airplane. Seconds later, we’re pleasantly caught by surprise as the first of a series of fat-winged planes, laden with water, zoom low and fast overhead and release their loads right at the edge of the forest. It looked so exciting, and watching these daring pilots made me wonder what kind of a career it would be fighting fires from the air. I found out there is a high demand for “aerial flame suppression” pilots. In fact, many places are having a lot of trouble filling positions, due to retirements and an increase in airlines hiring-away the already-small pool of potential aviation firefighters. It turns out that helicopters make up most of these aerial fleets, though firefighting is typically just one of a helicopters' multipurpose roles, and many types of aircraft are used as well, ranging from single-engine air tankers - often adapted from crop-dusters, to larger tankers (more than 3,000-gallon capacity). Even jet transports have been repurposed for dropping massive firefighting loads. The firefighting pilots come from various backgrounds and experience, including commercial and military flying. These brave pilots have to rely on old-fashioned natural ability and flying expertise since there is no automation to help them out. The average Forest Service pilot earns around $100K per year. Many pilots work as private contractors, or freelancers, and are paid by flight time, so their income can fluctuate. Some of them can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars in a busy season, and demand seems to be on the rise. Seasonal contracts are popular as well among these firefighters, who can enjoy long periods of “off-time” during the winter.

I cross over the Rideau Canal in Ottawa on foot, almost every day, via the Flora Bridge. On one side at the base of the bridge there is a pond that feeds into the canal via two large pipes - one at each end. When the surface is calm and the water is clear, you can see a group of rather large carp fish cruising the neighborhood. These carp are natural inhabitants of the waterways (i.e. not deliberately released), but they are not really native. They “invaded” the area because it’s easy to thrive here in the canal where there are no predators. This particular group of fish loves to swim through the circulation pipes and visit the shallow warmer water almost every day. This spot is a popular stopping point for pedestrians who pause to view the fish them as they cross the canal.

As you make your way through Old Ottawa South, there are always new (and sometimes hidden) delights to be discovered.

Glass, metal, leaves, sunshine and wind. Steel curves of polished paint, reflecting and bending light as a drifting, floating camera passes by.

Look at this ant! Is he planning on scaring his friends by holding a giant set of claws in front of his face? I slowed the video down so you can get a better look because - as you know - these guys move fast!! In fact, they are the fastest moving creatures in the animal kingdom (for their size) and the trap-jaw ant has the ability to close its jaws at about 140 mph! Ants have inhabited our planet for over 100 million years. There are more than 22,000 known ant species! Ants have high levels of socialization, defined by their cooperative brood care, division of labor and generations of large colonies. Ants have colonized almost every part of the world, except Antarctica and some other remote and inhospitable areas. Little black ants are scavengers that will consume anything from bird droppings to dead insects. Workers may forage in households, but nest in soil mounds. I don’t know where this particular ant found these big jaws, but I’m glad he’s staying outside. While you’re having a look at our busy, masquerading friend, here are a few more interesting ant facts. ⁃ An ant's body is divided into 3 main sections. The head is where the eyes, antennae, and mandibles are located. The middle section is where all 6 legs are attached. The back end of the ant is called the Metasoma. It contains organs and may have a stinger. ⁃ Ants don’t have ears so they hear with the help of their feet. They basically feel vibrations through the ground. They communicate with chemicals called pheromones. ⁃ A single ant has the ability to lift 20 times its own body weight. ⁃ Ants don't have lungs or a heart. Air enters through their exoskeleton. A tube runs the length of the ant, acting like a heart by moving fluid. ⁃ Ants are great at colonizing and as many as 50 million ants can come together to form a single, cooperative and highly efficient colony. ⁃ The queen ant of a particular ant species has been reported to be able to live up to 30 years. ⁃ One of the largest ant’s nests ever found was over 3700 miles wide. ⁃ Ants are normally super aggressive and feisty so when they fight among themselves, it is usually to the death! ⁃ Red fire ants are unusually small, however, they cause over $5 billion worth of damage every year!

I’m at the Port Vieux Pavilion in Marseille, France, rotating my video camera up and around and down over its highly-polished mirrored canopy surface, giving a slightly disconcerting effect as we return to earth right-side up. This old French port in an elongated bay, is the historic heart of Marseille. For centuries it was an important center of trade. But over time the area became crowded with boats and other materials and it became increasingly inaccessible to locals and tourists alike, cutting it off from the life of the city. In 1983 a complete revitalization of the harbor was completed, transforming the area into a much more tourist-friendly space. And along with major landscaping and traffic-flow improvements, the eye-catchingly surreal Port Vieux Pavilion canopy was unveiled as the alluring centerpiece to all the activity. Measuring nearly 150 feet (46 meters) long – which is half the size of a football field – the canopy is made of highly polished stainless steel meant to reflect people and the surrounding harbor environment. It also intensifies the ever-changing quality of light throughout the day and evening. The project has been compared to Anish Kapoor’s famous Cloud Gate in Chicago. The look is minimal, yet effective – the lightweight steel structure appearing as a simple silver line on the horizon. It provides a sheltered space for events on the eastern edge of the port. With six slender pillars supporting its razor-thin profile, the polished canopy amplifies and reflects the surrounding movement, creating a spectacle that encourages pedestrians to linger. The columns may seem delicate, but they withstand the northwesterly wind known as the Mistral. All-in-all, just like “the bean” in Chicago, the Port Vieux Pavilion is a photographer’s playground.

Russell, like most Norwich Terriers, is a very good swimmer. Here he is returning from a nearby floatie, paddling through the floating flower pollen, independently deciding he’s ready to head for shore. The Norwich terrier is a courageous, loving companion. They are ideal for small living conditions and travel, yet they are study and lead active lives. The Norwich is a classic terrier breed: fearless, strong, sassy, loving and independent. They make excellent family dogs as they consider their family to be their “pack” and will want to be included in as many group activities as possible. They never tire of playing ball, and many owners report that their Norwich Terriers chased balls with the vigor of a puppy well into their older adult lifetimes. This breed has a zest for life, approaching new tasks and situations with vigor, and makes an excellent family pet. Their trainability and generally even temperament makes them a good choice for first time dog owners.

Closeup on cute. Watch for TWO near-misses on a slippery pole! I went outside in search of a subject on which to test out my new Canon 70-300mm lens. I was soon rewarded with one of the chipmunks that inhabit my back yard, eyeing my bird feeder strategically. He clearly wished for a pair of wings, but lacking those, once he set his mind to it, up that smooth, thin metal pole he went, only pausing briefly to figure out the best way to land near the birdseed. Yes of course, I set up my new bird feeder primarily for the birds, but I certainly don’t mind my chipmunk friend helping himself as well. There’s plenty for everyone and this way – along with all the beautiful birds certain to come my way soon - I get to record Chippy the chipmunk’s amusing antics as he attempts – for the very first time - to climb a smooth and thin metal pole, leap his way onto a bird feeder, help himself, then retreat to safety, all while always being ready to completely abandon ship, should any external threat arise. First, Chippy surveys the situation. What is this new contraption just outside his door? (He actually has at least six doors – by my recent count). Next, he focuses, figures, and gathers his nerve. And then finally, when the time is right, Chippy springs into action, determined to reach his goal no matter what. That bird feeder is no match for Chippy’s dexterity and intention! Once the tower is scaled, a precarious gap must be conquered to reach the seed itself. Easy enough. Heck, there’s easy-grip handles all over the thing! Chippy does a few dips, dives and swirls and the bird feeder gives up some of her booty. Such a little creature, yet his grip is always steady and powerful. I’ll bet he can support his full body weight with any single limb. If you watch closely as Chippy fills his cheeks, you’ll see the periodic flash of his cute, pale, pink tongue. Also notice his soft pale furry underbelly. You don’t often see that but as he hangs upside down it’s on full display. His grip is always steady and powerful. I’ll bet he can support his full body weight with any single limb. What goes up must come down… and with cheeks full, it’s time to gracefully descent the pole, scamper across the yard, zip around the pond, and head for home. A multi-course meal awaits.

Outside Juneau port in Alaska, I’m standing on the balcony of my cabin on the ship Celebrity Solstice. I’ve got a warm drink in my hand, and as I enjoy the view, here comes another Celebrity ship – the Millennium, serenely passing by. Good thing I have my Canon 80D at the ready to capture some video of this passing of two ships in the cloudy Alaskan afternoon. I wave at the Millenium passengers and they wave back. There’s always some cheerful camaraderie between passengers cruise ships as they gracefully glide past one other. It reminds me of when I was a child, and people who drove Volkswagen Beetles always honked and waved at each other as they passed one another on the road. The Celebrity Millennium was built in France, in 2000, making her the oldest operating ship in Celebrity's fleet. She weighs almost 91,000 tons and measures over 950 feet in length and 105 feet in width. Millennium has 14 decks, a can cruise at a top speed of 28 mph (24 knots). Capacity: 2,138 passengers and almost 1,000 crew. This video was shot in 2014, and in 2019 the Millennium had a massive multi-million-dollar refurbishment, so she is now sporting the enhanced features of Celebrity's Edge-class ships.

Take a stroll on California’s Venice Beach and you will eventually reach the Santa Monica pier. And at the end of that pier is a Mexican restaurant called Mariasol. Seated outside, you can listen to local musicians and enjoy the amazing view of an early afternoon sun over the Pacific Ocean. Along with some margaritas, we ask for some guacamole and chips. A few minutes later, Alejandro appears at our table. The sunshine, the sea air, and the fact that all the ingredients are displayed right out in front of us, motivates us to pick up the iPhone and capture this creation in the making. And here it is. --- “If you enjoy sipping mega grande margaritas on yet another sunny Southern California day, with a view of the Pacific coastline from Malibu to the South Bay, as the sounds of waves slapping the sandy Santa Monica beaches permeate the background, then Mariasol Restaurant is for you.”

If you’ve visited Chicago since 2014, you likely have visited Millennium Park, where among its famous landmarks you saw Crown Fountain. A 17-million-dollar work of interactive public art, the fountain is a video sculpture composed of a black granite reflecting pool between a pair of glass brick towers. The towers are 50 feet tall, and use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to display digital videos on their inward faces. Water intermittently cascades down the two towers and spouts through a nozzle on each tower's front face. This unique work was designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, and the project was executed by Krueck and Sexton Architects. Inspired by the traditional use of gargoyles in fountains, where water flows out of faces of mythological beings, Plensa’s creation uses LED screens with projected images of faces of Chicago citizens, and water flows through an outlet in the screen to give the illusion of water spouting from their mouths. The collection of faces was selected from a cross-section of 1,000 Chicago residents and represents a tribute to their diversity. Residents and critics alike have praised the fountain for its artistic and entertainment features. It’s a popular subject for photographers and a common gathering place. The fountain has become a public play area that offers an escape from summer heat, and children can often be seen frolicking in the fountain's water.

Ottawa has a new pedestrian bridge - the Flora Footbridge - that traverses the Rideau Canal between Ottawa South and The Glebe. It’s beautiful, but I wonder if the original designers ever thought about this? Spiders casting disturbingly-big shadows across your path! I was crossing the bridge last evening and noticed a potentially-pedestrian-frightening effect being cast on the pavement. The under-railing lighting system seems to not only be attracting spiders (who are in-turn interested in the bugs, also attracted to the light), but in addition, the lights themselves were casting giant, eerily-moving, spider-shadows! Lots of them! All the way along the bridge! Holy, revenge of the giant spiders, Spiderman! The intense fear of spiders is called arachnophobia, and it can cause “clinically significant distress” that can impact someone’s quality of life. Around the world, between 3% and 15% of individuals have been diagnosed with specific phobias, with the fear of animals and heights being the most prevalent. Keep in mind that while the fear of spiders is common, not every person who feels afraid or on edge around them has arachnophobia. But if you think you’re even in the range of spider-fear, might I recommend not walking over Ottawa’s Flora footbridge after sunset?

The cloudy steel grey sky reflects in the silvery sheen of spider webs draped across my backyard pine tree. The heavy rain intermittently slaps against unseen tin chimes while it paints and jostles these magically-strewn gossamer threads.

I couldn’t resist taking some trippy video in downtown Chicago. Specifically, reflections and distortions in a mesmerizing sculpture known as “Cloud Gate”. I’m wearing a white hat and orange pants - so as the video plays - see if you can spot the various places I’m shooting video from. Where’s orange-pants! AT&T Plaza at Millennium Park in the Loop area of Chicago is the site of Cloud Gate — an hypnotic metal sculpture that reflects and distorts the famous Chicago skyline in a very unique manner. Cloud Gate’s creator, British artist Sir Anish Kapoor, was inspired by liquid mercury. He originally designed it for a competition, which he won. Then came the construction, which turned out to entail many technological challenges, and various experts even stated that it would be impossible to build! A method was worked out, of course, but took much longer to implement than originally estimated. It was finally formally dedicated in 2006. Estimated cost was $6 million. $11.5 million had gone into it by 2004. Final cost? $23 million. The sculpture is nicknamed “The Bean” because of its shape, and while Kapoor initially disliked that name, it later grew on him. Consisting of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, The Bean’s highly polished exterior has no visible seams. Visitors are able to walk around and under the gleaming 12-foot-high arch. On the underside is the "omphalos" (Greek for "navel"), a concave chamber that warps and multiplies reflections. The sculpture is very popular as a “selfie” opportunity, and has gained considerable popularity among domestic and international tourists alike. Chicago art critic Edward Lifson called Cloud Gate one of the greatest pieces of public art in the world. TIME named Millennium Park one of the ten best architectural achievements of 2004 and recognized Cloud Gate as one of its major attractions. And it has received many awards, including The American Welding Society’s Extraordinary Welding Award.

We’re on a roll with this conveyor-belt sushi delivery system! While visiting Seattle, we stopped in to Blue C Sushi for lunch, where chefs handcrafted an array of sushi and nigiri, placing them onto color-coded plates that drifted through the restaurant’s dining area on a moving platform, available for patrons to pick from as the dishes rolled by, providing an affordable, fun, entertaining, satisfying, low-risk and efficient dining experience. A roughly rectangular--shaped conveyor belt dominates the center of the restaurant. Around and around goes the sushi, while in the center of the room, a team of sushi chefs work continually: carving fish, rolling maki rolls, assembling nigiri sushi, and constantly replenishing the non-stop sushi distribution belt. Patrons who are not sitting within grabbing distant of the automatic delivery system were not left out by any means. They were free to walk up to the belt and choose whatever they liked. Your bill was computed by counting the empty plates on your table. Each plate was color-coded to indicate price. Conveyor belt sushi has been dubbed, "sushi for the people." You don't earn points for being a big-time spender or buying the sushi chef a beer. You don't have to be an avid sushi hobbyist or speak Japanese. The conveyor belt is the great equalizer: Sushi comes down the line, plated, priced and labeled. Pick one or let it roll by. This is WYSIWYG dining at its best. (What You See Is What You Get) Sadly, Blue C closed in 2019 after being in business for over 15 years in seven locations — five in Seattle and suburbs, and two in the Los Angeles area. It’s a good thing this and other videos have captured the memory for posterity.

The blackbird breeding season begins in the early spring and continues until mid-summer. During that time, it’s not unusual to see adult birds feeding one another. This is called “courtship feeding.” It can occur when pairs are first getting established and continue through the egg incubation period. This pair is carrying out their courtship right in my backyard. Blackbirds actually have the ability to catch insects for their meals while in flight, but they seem to prefer pecking in my garden where they can so easily forage among the old leaves and come up with an abundance of delicious worms and serviceberries. You’ll notice that the blackbird’s long legs give him a halting walk, head jerking with each step, almost like a chicken’s. In this video, some blackbirds are foraging amongst last year’s leaves (mostly ginkgo) and they’re having quite a bit of luck finding juicy bugs and fresh berries recently fallen from my Serviceberry tree. Male blackbirds are glossy black all over with a staring yellow eye and a blue sheen on the head grading to greenish iridescence on the body. They feed on open ground or underfoot in parks and busy streets. Backyard birdwatching is the best!

Enjoy this slow-motion replay of a lightning-fast event! Now I’ve seen everything. It happened so fast, I wasn’t sure if what I just saw, I just saw, so I downloaded my footage and slowed it down so I could take a closer look, and sure enough, it seems like that chipmunk was bullying a bird off his roof. “Hey, you! Get off of MY roof!” Chipmunks are very territorial and they have no problem defending themselves. So what do you think happened?

These crazy, dexterous, acrobatic black squirrels LOVE fresh berries and it seems that today is the day for maximum freshness. So today, my ripe serviceberry tree is buzzing with a frenzy of squirrel and bird activity. Black squirrels are a subgroup of the eastern grey and fox squirrels; they are the result of an abnormal pigment gene. One theory suggests that the black came about as a selective advantage for squirrels in the north, with the black-fur providing a warmth advantage over its grey counterpart. When winter comes, I’ll bet every little bit helps! The black coloration remains uncommon in most areas. However, in the Canadian province of Ontario (where I am), and the U.S. state of Michigan, the majority of the species' population is black. From the enthusiasm of these squirrels, it would seem that today is the day for maximum juicy Serviceberry perfection, since the tree is buzzing with a frenzy of black squirrel activity, and the berries are being enjoyed in a variety of positions. An upside-down lunch? No problem.

Every year it seems like there is an exact day, a precise hour, and perhaps even a specific minute – when ALL the neighborhood critters group-decide that RIGHT NOW is the perfect time to gobble-up all the perfectly-ripened berries from my serviceberry tree. And no matter how much hustle and bustle, branch-swinging and dipsy-diving, these various species of birds, squirrels and chipmunks do, they don’t seem at all concerned with one another. Plenty of berries for all – I say! (There are even tons on the ground for other types of animals to grab. Stuff flies everywhere as these guys aren’t the most mannered eaters. The graceful serviceberry tree is native to North America. It is moderately-sized, easy to grow, and gives my yard three seasons of color—the fragrant white flowers of early spring, the edible bright berries June, and the blazing orange, yellow and red leaves in the fall. Serviceberries grow slowly, seldom need pruning, and don’t have invasive roots, so they’re a good choice for small yards like mine. Serviceberries ripen in early summer, which is why one of the common names for the tree is Juneberry. The berries themselves are similar to blueberries in size, morphing from green to red to nearly black when fully ripe. Although they taste like really sweet blueberries, humans don’t eat them much these days, but ... they sure can! Birds ADORE serviceberries, so just like my landscape artist promised me 20 years ago, I’m getting lots of winged visitors every year. That is of course – as my landscaper also advised – IF you decide to leave the berries on the tree. Feathered friends, or delicious pies? It’s your choice.

These lucky miniature horses live at the Sugarplum Rescue Farm and Petting Zoo, in Temecula, California. Every morning they take a walk with our AirBnb host and co-founder of Sugarplum, Lani Rager. Lani is originally from Manhattan, and moved to Temecula, a beautiful town about an hour out of San Diego, about 20 years ago. The area has evolved from being considered mainly “horse country”, to now also being known as “wine country” and, some might argue, “avocado country,” as it is also home to huge avocado ranches and large groves of orange trees. Among the many animals Lani and her husband Greg have at Sugarplum, is this trio of miniature horses. “Mini horses” as you might surmise, are horses defined by their small height. The result of centuries of selective breeding, these horses only reach a height of approximately 34–38 inches. They are true “miniatures” in that they retain the physical proportions of a full sized horse. This differentiates them from ponies, which are not as short, and have stockier builds. Miniature horses are generally friendly, interact well with people, and can make good family pets. However, they retain the behavior of full-sized horses, including a natural fight-or-flight instinct, and must be treated like any full-sized equine. Some minis have been trained as service animals and others take part in equine agility and other competitive horse show events. Miniature horses were first developed in Europe in the 1600s, and by 1765 they were seen frequently as the pets of nobility. The oldest living horse on record was a miniature horse named Angel who lived to be over 50. The current record holder for the world's smallest horse is Thumbelina, who stands 17 inches tall and weighs 60 pounds.

These are wild turkeys. Did you know that although we may not understand their gobble-language, we might actually be able to get some idea of what they’re thinking, or at least how they’re feeling, just by looking at the changing color of their heads? It’s true. The color of a turkey's head and throat changes depending on its mood. When a turkey is excited, the head will turn blue. When it is feeling stressed, his head will turn bright red. It may turn back to white when the turkey is feeling calmer. The color shifts and changes many times throughout the day as he feels various levels of stress and relaxation. What’s also cool is that fact that the retinas of turkey’s eyes have seven different types of photoreceptors. These “artificial brighteners” make other turkeys glow a bright blue color to other turkeys who can see ultraviolet light. Turkeys are highly social, affectionate and love to play. They love to be stroked, petted and cuddled. They will remember your face, and if they like you, they will come up to you to greet you. Notice how the male turkey in this video puffs up his body and spreads his tail feathers like a peacock. There must be a female around he his trying attract! And finally, here’s some lingo for you. A male turkey is called a tom or a gobbler, a female turkey a hen, and a baby turkey a poult or chick. A young male turkey is called a jake and a young female is called a jenny. A group of wild turkeys is called a flock, a group of domesticated turkeys is commonly referred to as a rafter.

A majestic-looking raven overlooks my neighborhood with a watchful eye, just before taking flight. From up there on top of a 45-foot telephone pole, he can see a wide swath of his surroundings. When I first saw this bird, I thought I was looking at a crow. But as a sharp-eyed friend of mine said, “It may be a raven.” What do you think? (You have a 50-50 chance of being right. :) Crows and ravens are both highly intelligent birds, but they differ in their behavior, habitat, and physical characteristics. A raven is usually quite a bit larger than a crow. It’s longer (including its longer bill), weighs more, and has a greater wingspan. Ravens have pointed wings and wedge-shaped tails but crows have blunt and splayed wings and fan-shaped tails. Crows generally make a ‘Kaw’ sound in discrete units. It is high pitched and nasal; crows are louder and have a harsher sound. A raven has deeper and less piercing sound. The raven is revered as a god by the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest in North America and in northeast Asia. Several totem poles erected by native Americans depict ravens and the stories they feature in. In the Old Testament of the Bible there are several references to common ravens. In the British Isles, ravens were symbolic to the Celts and figure prominently into Irish mythology. This particular one – high atop the telephone pole - seemed to simply be doing his ‘Neighborhood Watch’ duty before moving on to new adventures.