We most certainly had more sunshine today!
It was a beautiful morning: dry, sunny, fresh - what more could we want ...
We left the house at 6.30 a.m. and went the usual way to the ravens field. At this time, there were no dogs there yet, so we did some training, and fed the ravens.
The first raven came as we closed in on the bottom end of the far side. It was the bold raven's companion.
She took a few scraps, and as we slowly walked up the fence to the allotments, the bold raven appeared. Both followed our way round the ravens field, picking up their scraps.
We used the opportunity to do a number of 'stay' exercises, and while Miss Sophie sat or was 'down', and 'stayed', I tried to see how close I could get the ravens to come.
It is about a foot and a half - and the bold raven most definitely is the boldest of the lot!
He ventured to within a foot, keeping a beady eye on me. When I looked away (well, I looked out of the corner of my eyes!), he picked the scrap up, his companion didn't dare.
Also, he does try and get to the scraps as fast as possible - twice I threw one in the air to land between them, and he was immediately at it.
Once he was pushing her off, with a clatter of beaks. That was how close they got together to that one scrap.
The second time, she just about got there first - but then, he'd already had six pieces in his crop!
He flew off then, in the direction of the raven's nest. She followed after having collected a couple more scraps.
Both came back when we were already close to the spinney, and the bold one flew in front of us, as if to say 'haven't you got some more food for us?'
Well - I didn't! Between the ravens and Miss Sophie's rewards, there were only two left, which go into Miss Sophie when we're back inside the house.
Later that afternoon, the heat was on!
It was about 78 F, and the sun was hot in spite of a rising haze, and clouds in the west looking as if we might be in for a thunderstorm later tonight.
We went to Pontcanna Fields - Llandaff Fields was overrun with people, dogs, children - the trees do make it a bit more shady.
When we approached the tree with the raven's nest, to about 50 yards, coming and going, there were raven calls, as if to sound the alarm. Well, we were moving - the other people were lying on trhe grass, broiling in the sun.
We didn't see any ravens, it was too hot - and Miss Sophie's black fur coat felt hot when we came back and I took her lead off.
It'll be cooler tomorrow, with a bit of rain, or so the forecasters say ...
2 comments:
Hi {Yma}- it's realwest here! Glad you had such marvelous weather today and that Miss Sophie apparently behaved herself. Is it my imagination or has she been getting better with obeying commands and also without annoying or at least growling at other dogs her size or larger?
And I'm glad to hear that the Bold Raven and his companion showed up again! Were they the only two Ravens who appeared on your walk?
And I do have to chuckle some at you talk of hot weather - we are going up to 91 degrees tomorrow and 94 on Saturday! THAT'S HOT. 78degrees for us is "springtime"!
In any event, I did want to say, again, how much I enjoy your blog or field notes - and others have said the same to me, they just aren't the type to leave comments.
I wish you and Miss Sophie continued success and wonder - how long before the baby Ravens put in an appearance dp you think?
Hiya, realwest!
Yes, Miss Sophie is definitely getting very much better - except when there are small white dogs around! Or squirrels.
she is even slowly learning that swallows must not be chased!
We'll see what the obedience trainer has to say on Monday ...
It is odd, but the ravens are not appearing together, or, say, the young pair here, and the bold pair there.
They seem to come singly, without their 'companion', so it was ice to have the bold pair together, for once.
I think this is because due to the season here is more food for them to find - like worms, more food waste left out, so they go further and enlarge the area they forage in.
The fledglings should make an appearance by the end of this month. It will be interesting to see where they start hanging out - probably in Pontcanna Fields.
I'll keep my eyes peeled ...
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