October 6, 2025 – Day Two of our Hunt’s Photo Adventure exploring Yellowstone National Park
There are some companions in Yellowstone National Park that you just can’t avoid. You’ll see them every day. They’re like the national-park version of glitter — once they show up, they’re everywhere. And I don’t mean Don or Adam, or my Hunt’s Photo Adventurers.
Cue the scenery.
This mountainous region doesn’t just make a backdrop — it makes you question whether you’re in a nature documentary or a Windows wallpaper. I texted one of my cousins a photo of bison in Hayden Valley framed by snow-covered peaks. She wrote back, “Is that real?”
Yes. Real. Unless Yellowstone has a Hollywood budget I didn’t know about.
And then there’s the van. Picture a group of adults with expensive cameras and questionable self-control. Every time the scenery got better (which was every 12 seconds), the van sounded like a kindergarten field trip passing a Dairy Queen:
“STOP! STOP! PULL OVER!”
I’m convinced Adam’s neck muscles are now permanently shaped like a steering wheel from all the whiplash-inducing U-turns we demanded.
Cue the Raven.
Now, the Common Raven doesn’t sound like a bucket-list bird. Nobody ever says, “We’re going to Yellowstone to see ravens!” (They say bison, bears, maybe a wolf if they’re feeling ambitious.)
But here’s the thing — these birds are geniuses. Absolute feathered Einsteins. If Mensa had a bird chapter, ravens would run it — and probably charge admission.
They make tools, plan for the future, and use tactical deception — yes, deception — pretending to hide food just to fake out other ravens. Basically, they’re the bird version of Wall Street.
They even play for fun — sledding down snowy roofs, playing fetch with wolves, and performing aerial acrobatics just because they can. I’ve seen humans with less personality at a comedy club.
And if that doesn’t impress you, get this: scientists rank ravens right up there with dolphins, elephants, and great apes in intelligence. Not bad for a creature that looks like it should be delivering ominous news in a horror movie.
Don’s Raven Story
Don once left the van windows open. When he came back, ravens had staged a full-scale smash-and-grab operation. The only thing missing was the Mission Impossible theme.
Okay, maybe the music wasn’t playing. But I wouldn’t bet against it.
Food? Gone. Bags? Inspected. Van interior? Looked like a fraternity party aftermath.
Score: Ravens 1, Humans 0.
And then there was my encounter — a raven perched on a car mirror at a gas station, cocking his head like he was judging my lens choice. I swear he gave me a look that said, “Nice camera, amateur.”
Click.
That photo is proof of both raven brilliance and my willingness to document bird arrogance.
Mic drop. Or should I say… beak drop.
Up next?
Let’s just say Little Red Riding Hood would’ve been very, very nervous.
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