John and Colleen Marzluff, authors of “Dog Days Raven Nights” in which they chronicled their raven research, will share their experiences at the Northwest Stream Center on Thursday.
Fresh out of graduate school and recently married, the couple was conducting the first ever extensive study of winter ecology of the common raven. They moved from Arizona to a small cabin in the mountains of western Maine.
“It is a privilege to have them join us at the Northwest Stream Center,” said Adopt A Stream Foundation director Tom Murdoch. “You will find their tales from field notes and personal diaries from that three-year adventure in deep woods and snow not only amazingly interesting, but very entertaining as well.”
The couple had to train sled dogs in order to travel in deep snow to study these smart birds. The Marzluffs will also recount their adventures as they built a gigantic aviary in the forest, climbed “sentry trees,” built bird blinds and captured and sustained about 300 ravens as study subjects, according to press material.
John Marzluff is a professor of wildlife science in the College of the Environment at the University of Washington. Colleen Marzluff has a background in wildlife biology and is recognized as an expert in the raising and training of sled dogs and herding dogs. The couple lives in Snohomish.
Their book, “Dog Days Raven Nights,” is illustrated by Evon Zerbetz, an illustrator of six books for children and young adults. There will be a book signing following the talk.
The presentation is at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Northwest Stream Center at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Reservations are required by calling 425-316-8592. The cost is $5 for Adopt A Stream Foundation members; $7 for nonmembers.
Herald staff
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