I have always been drawn to corvids. Every spring, my mum and I would groom the horses as they shed their thick winter coats. Without fail, jackdaws would gather as soon as they heard us, swooping down to collect the loose hair for their nests. I still smile when I hear their familiar chirps.
In my hometown of Milton Keynes, crows and magpies were everywhere. However, upon moving to Cornwall, I encountered a new corvid cousin - the rook. These birds were larger, rougher, and had an ominous appearance with their grey, bare faces.
Over the centuries, many people have written about corvids, often using the terms "rook", "crow", and "raven" interchangeably (Cobbey, 2023). I wanted to include a section in my work about corvids due to their symbolism of loss, but I chose to focus on rooks specifically because they are so abundant in the local area. As I delved deeper into my research, I found that much of this symbolism revolves around a sense of connection and the sorrow of disconnection. Whether it relates to death and the afterlife, spiritual messengers, or the community-focused nature of rooks, the common thread is the profound impact of losing those connections. While not specifically used as a symbol by Francesca Woodman, my decision to feature corvids echoes the gothic imagery of her work (The Art Story, 2017).
Rooks, with their midnight plumage and haunting 'caw', have long been regarded as omens of death, their presence in graveyards and at funerals adding to the solemn atmosphere. However, beyond their association with mortality, rooks are also viewed as messengers between the earthly and spiritual realms. In folklore and mythology, they are said to guide the souls of the departed to the afterlife (Ramel, 2023). Though it may be an unfortunate coincidence, it is theorised that their featherless faces inspired the masks worn by plague doctors (Black, 2020) and prison doctors (Bodmin Jail, 2020).
Despite their ominous reputation, rooks possess a quiet beauty and remarkable sociability. Far from being solitary creatures, they form close-knit communities and strong pair bonds, often remaining with the same mate for life (Minns, 2021). In their duality of symbolism - death and messenger, loss and companionship - rooks remind us of the interconnectedness of all living things and the inevitability of loss.
During my first visit to Tehidy Woods, I attempted to photograph the local wildlife, particularly rooks, to see how they appeared in infrared light. Despite struggling with camera focus - an issue I explore further in my post about the Loss of a Secure Future - I managed to capture a single, blurred image of a rook (Figure 1). The stark contrast between the white leaves and the black bird immediately struck me, and upon closer inspection, I could discern the faint pattern on its feathers.
After purchasing a new lens to resolve the focusing problem, I returned to the woods. I spent a considerable amount of time quietly sitting on the grass, watching as the forest around me came to life. I was surrounded by dozens of rooks, a few jackdaws, and some mischievous squirrels who climbed up my legs.
In the images above, I captured more detail in the rooks' feathers. Their wings glistened in the sunlight, appearing more vibrant in infrared than to the naked eye. In Figure 2, I was pleased to achieve a beautifully sharp eye on the rook, though the bird in the background disrupted a clear separation between the dark subject and the pale leaves. I also discovered that my infrared filter, when set to 720nm, blocked out too much visible light. By changing the filter to 590nm, I was able to capture a wider range of colours and finer details in the wings. This adjustment was more effective, as the increased colour revealed the iridescent beauty of a bird often considered unattractive.
The four images above are my favourites for this section and work well as a set. While they all evoke a sense of loneliness and loss of connection, the rooks are united as they look towards the centre. Individually, they reflect different elements of the rooks' symbolism. The first rook in Figure 5 appears melancholic, bowing its head as if mourning the loss of its mate. In Figure 6, the rook's open beak suggests it is trying to speak, fulfilling its role as a spiritual messenger between worlds. With its upright posture and stern expression, the third rook in Figure 7 resembles a feared plague doctor, complete with a beaked mask and a waxy coat. While intimidating, perhaps it is simply a guardian protecting the innocent jackdaws behind it. Finally, in Figure 8, the fourth rook perches in the sun, with the soft rays of light reflecting off its beautifully textured feathers. The altered colours of the foliage, caused by the infrared light, make this rook bask in the warmth of an ethereal world, as if at peace in the afterlife.
A peer reviewed my rook photos and strongly connected with the idea of loss. Her late husband said he would come back as a rook and visit from time to time; there is always a rook circling when she leaves home, bringing her a sense of comfort.
Although not the most compositionally correct image, I had to include Figure 9. The sociability and loyalty of corvids are a poignant reminder of the connection we have with one another. This group of companions gathering in this otherworldly setting symbolises the possibility that we will reunite with our loved ones after we pass on. The jackdaw in the background gives me hope that I will be able to brush the winter coat from my horse when we meet again in the next life.
References
The Art Story (2017) Francesca Woodman photography, bio, ideas, The Art Story. Available at: https://www.theartstory.org/artist/woodman-francesca/ (Accessed: 23 February 2024).
Black (2020) Plague Doctors: Separating Medical Myths from Facts, LiveScience. Available at: https://www.livescience.com/plague-doctors.html (Accessed: 30 March 2024).
Bodmin Jail (2020) ‘Prison Doctor “Quack” - 01N03’.
Cobbey (2023) Crow Symbolism and Meaning: Mythology to Pop Culture, CultureFrontier. Available at: https://www.culturefrontier.com/crow-symbolism/ (Accessed: 26 March 2024).
Minns (2023) Rook - Sentinel of the Farmlands, Avibirds. Available at: https://avibirds.com/rook/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).
Ramel (2023) The Rooks (Corvus Frugilegus) Information, Earth Life. Available at: https://earthlife.net/rooks/ (Accessed: 29 March 2024).
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