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Ravens in Winter

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Ravens in Winter by Bernd Heinrich is a captivating exploration of the biologist's journey into the world of ravens in the cold Northern areas of New England. Heinrich's writing style, described as engaging and exuberant, immerses readers in his field observations and scientific discoveries. The book follows Heinrich as he spends four winters in the woods of Maine and Vermont, studying the behavior of ravens in the midst of blizzards and harsh conditions. Through his detailed observations, Heinrich delves into the mystery of why ravens exhibit certain behaviors and the interactions they have with their surroundings.

Heinrich's dedication to his research, combined with a blend of science, humor, and captivating storytelling, makes Ravens in Winter a fascinating read for those interested in nature, animals, and the scientific process. The book provides insights into raven intelligence and behavior, offering readers a glimpse into the world of these elusive and complex birds through Heinrich's meticulous observations and passionate narration.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and informative, seamlessly blending scientific observation with humor and poetic descriptions.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around an author's four-year study of ravens in winter, emphasizing their unique behavioral patterns and his dedication to scientific observation.

Setting:

The setting includes the cold, desolate forests of Maine and Vermont, contributing to the book's themes of survival and nature.

Pacing:

The pacing can be slow at times due to scientific details, but is generally maintained by energetic anecdotes and personal interactions.

Notes:

Ravens play significant roles in various cultural traditions, including biblical accounts and myths.
Bernd Heinrich spent four winters studying ravens in a remote forest in Maine.
He had to drag hundred pounds of cow entrails through deep snow to attract ravens for observation.
Maine ravens primarily eat carrion, which is why he had to bait them.
He crawled out of his freezing sleeping bag at 5:30 AM to avoid scaring the ravens away from their food.
The book combines scientific research with mythology and personal interactions, creating an engaging narrative.
Heinrich used field notes for the book, sharing all observations and hypotheses, even the unsuccessful ones.
Many readers find Heinrich's writing style both humorous and informative about raven behavior.
The book is described as being as exciting as a mystery novel, despite being a scientific study.
Readers feel connected to Heinrich's journey, as if they are observing the ravens alongside him.

From The Publisher:

"One of the most interesting discoveries I've seen in animal sociobiology in years." - E.O. Wilson

Why do ravens, generally understood to be solitary creatures, share food between each other during winter? On the surface, there didn't appear to be any biological or evolutionary imperative behind the raven's willingness to share. The more Bernd Heinrich observed their habits, the more odd the bird's behavior became. What started as mere curiosity turned into an impassioned research project, and Ravens In Winter , the first research of its kind, explores the fascinating biological puzzle of the raven's rather unconventional social habits.

"Bernd Heinrich is no ordinary biologist. He's the sort who combines formidable scientific rigor with a sense of irony and an unslaked, boyish enthusiasm for his subject, and who even at his current professorial age seems to do a lot of tree climbing in the line of research." -David Quammen, The New York Times

1989
400 pages
 
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