It was dryer today, and a bit colder - but the sky was as dark and grey as yesterday. No sight of the sun ...
There were some calls before we left the house at 7.30 a.m., but these were from magpies and jackdaws, no ravens.
As yesterday, no calls in Llandaff Fields, and no ravens to be seen until we were in the middle of the ravens field. We did come from the Horse Chestnut Avenue today, but the young pair definitely was not waiting for us in those trees at the crossing of the footpaths.
When we were in the middle of the ravens field, I could hear some calls from the direction of the allotments, but couldn't see any raven there. After I had let Madame off her lead, I saw that one of the ravens had flown to sit on top of one of the rugby goal posts - that gave him a good view.
As we walked on - he flew into the middle of the enclosure, where he was joined by his companion. It was the young pair again, their behaviour made that clear.
As we walked on - he flew into the middle of the enclosure, where he was joined by his companion. It was the young pair again, their behaviour made that clear.
After the usual feeding routine, we left by the 'more-food'-way, and again, they did not follow us for very long in the open field but flew to the trees at the spinney. From there, they followed us, flying, to the top of the big field.
They made some pretty loud calls there, and so it was no surprise to see the other young pair appear from the quarry side of Llandaff Fields - and then, a bit further away, from the toddlers' playground, the third pair arrived.
That third pair is the one with the bold raven - he is the only one who comes really close, who tries to get every scrap of food, bumping into his companion with intent - and he is the only one who picks the scraps up while I look at him.
The others all wait until Madame and me turn our backs.
After we'd run out of all the food, we went to talk to Toby and Cookie and their owners, who had been observing us and were highly entertained watching the four young ravens walk behind us, to get food from us. It must look quite funny!
Then Bas turned up, Madame and he had a jolly little romp, and that was a nice ending to our morning walk.
It is interesting that the other two pairs of ravens came today, under the same light conditions as yesterday. I think this happened because the first pair called when we were in the big field - they didn't call yesterday.
It will be even colder tomorrow, according to the weather people - so we'll see what happens then. I'll certainly take lots of food, especially as Madame seems to be getting quite fond of those scraps as well ...
