Desert Notes: Reflections in the Eye of a Raven

work by Lopez

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July 20, 2026

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Desert Notes: Reflections in the Eye of a Raven is a fictional narrative by American writer Barry Lopez. Published in 1976, it is one of his earlier works, alongside other "notes" collections like River Notes. Lopez was known for his writings on natural history and the environment, often using these subjects as metaphors for broader moral questions. While Desert Notes is a fictional work, it aligns with Lopez's broader thematic concerns explored in his non-fiction books such as Of Wolves and Men and Arctic Dreams. The title's reference to a raven echoes themes found in Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem, which also features a raven and explores melancholy and lost love.12

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Barry Lopez
…wrote such fictional narratives as Desert Notes: Reflections in the Eye of a Raven (1976) and River Notes: The Dance of Herons (1979). Among his short-story volumes were Winter Count (1981), Light Action in the Caribbean (2000), and Outside (2014). Other notable works included the essay collections Crossing Open Ground
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…wrote such fictional narratives as Desert Notes: Reflections in the Eye of a Raven (1976) and River Notes: The Dance of Herons (1979). Among his short-story volumes were Winter Count (1981), Light Action in the Caribbean (2000), and Outside (2014). Other notable works included the essay collections Crossing Open Ground
Read More