Dec 21st

Poor ravens! 

I had to abandon going out in the dark - first, we had rain late last night, and then snow on top - on frozen ground!

The roads, pavements, even the park were treacherous. 

Therefore, I had to leave even earlier than planned, to get to my appointment.

When I was back home again, we did go out. 

It was about 10 a.m., the sun was shining, but the ice was even covering the grass in the fields. 

Lots of dogs - no ravens. It was very cold - too cold and too icy for Madame, so we turned back home after I took some photos of the area. 

I've added some below, so you can see some of the features I keep talking about!

On the way back, we heard one of these deep raven calls - and one, then another came swooping from Pontcanna Fields. They were very shy - most certainly not my bold raven and his companion, nor my young pair. I threw them a few scraps - but they waited until we were well away before they ventured to pick them up.

Because of the ice, I carried Madame until we were out of the park.

Here are some photos:

Looking to the top of the big field, sheds on the right, then the spinney. The ravens field is beyond the spinney and the trees.

Looking left, from the big field, the old quarries, and towadrs the middle distance, the small arboretum.

Still in the big field, the toddlers' playground to the right. 

Pontcanna Fields is behind the huge evergreen trees in the far distance, beyond the playground.

Looking across the footpath into the ravens field. The spinney is on the right - and the ravens sit on the lower branch of the big tree in the middle foreground to wait. They sit on the branches of the tree next to the spinney when they follow us back into the big field.

The bottom end of the ravens field - the Horse Chestnut Avenue is the boundary, leading away on the left, middle distance.

Madame checking for new scents ... still in the big field.

The two ravens who turned up - see how far a way from us they are!

I zoomed in on the one raven - note the big, heavy beak, and the crop (empty!) underneath the beak. 

He is making himself look slim because he is a bit scared.

If the conditions are like this tomorrow (might be even worse, according to the weather forecast!), I shall have to leave Madame at home, and shall have to go out later than usual. 

I most certainly don't want to have a fall ...!