It did freeze overnight, as predicted - but since the ground, roads and pavements had been dry, there was no ice. It was cold, though, and there was frost on the grass. No wind, and the sunrise seemed to take forever!
We heard raven calls early in the morning, about an hour before the sun was up, but very faint and far away.
We left the house at 7.45 a.m. - it was still dark, but the street lights were switching off as we walked down the road.
Then, in Llandaff Fields, there were more calls, seemingly coming from the boundaries (Pontcanna Fields, side of the old quarries, top of the Horse Chestnut Avenue).
It sounded as if they were calling to each other: one finished, then the next call came from another direction.
As we got to the top of the big field, my young pair came flying down. Once they had some scraps, the other young pair came from the quarry side. Then another pair turned up - but not my bold raven.
Suddenly - an intruder!
This raven came from the far end of Llandaff Fields, and got squawked at, with some flapping of wings - but he stayed. So now there were seven ravens!
At one point in time they formed a semi-circle round me - unbelievable.
Not one of them was my bold raven - so I have no idea who the intruder was.
I do remember that about seven years ago or so we saw ravens nesting in the tall tower of Llandaff Cathedral. As they can become 15 years old, might this have been one of the tower ravens, being hungry and following the calls?
I believe the bold raven and his companion were well provided for by all the people who had been out yesterday, enjoying the sunshine, and leaving lots of food remains in the waste paper baskets in Pontcanna Fields.
Rain and lots of snow predicted overnight and tomorrow - we'll have to see what the conditions will be like in the morning.
One thing is certain: the ravens are always good for another surprise!
6 comments:
Hi Yma - just thought I'd tell you how much I enjoy reading about your experiences with the Ravens - you don't think the Bold one and his friend have found another place, do you?
AND, if your eyesight will let you, it would be GREAT if you could post a photo of Madame and perhaps hand draw a map of your fields of endeavor, photo it so we can see all the places you go to - especially the relationship of Llandaff Fields and the Big Field and the Spinney and your walks home with food!
Hope you are doing well as I'd miss the Town Ravens very much!
I've done as you proposed - the map is a really good idea! Took me some time to sort out how to do it!
I've also put up a photo of bas and Madame - not in the field: they will be too small to see properly!
Ah thanks for the map Yma! I don't know why, but when I right click I can't click on open in another window - but it's ok, just wanted a general layout so to speak.
Um, what do the yellow lines indicate and what do the pink lines and yellow lines indicate?!
OH, and my goodness, Bass is certainly a big dog compared to Madame! Is that because he's a male or just cause he eats a lot, as they are obviously both the same breed!
Hiya, realwest - Bas is a biggie all right!
Its genetic - his bones are big, and he's got long legs. Otherwise, he is slim and fit, he is not a podgy, fat dog!
The pink and yellow squiggly lines indicate some of the walks Madame and I make, the yellow is the one we do most days right now. The pink one is more for good wether. Start and finish in the little car park.
That map-image:
if you right-click (thats the right button of your mouse), then a little menu ought to come up, one of the lines saying 'open in new window'. When you click on that (left mouse button) you can see the image in a new window on your PC, and you can then zoom in as far as you want.
Mind, the resolution of the image will get worse the more you zoom ...
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