Hmmm, it seems that more raven pieces are, in fact, desired by at least 5% of my readership (Annette is one of the 17 and this blog is in answer to her request). So, a raven update:

Jack and Liz had four kids this season (we call them ‘raisins’ since we don’t know or care about the proper nomenclature). Wild ravens usually only have two offspring annualy. If they are doing well in their world, they might have three. Our spoiled rotten buddies had four!

One of them is a bit of a runt. His feathers are coming in a bit late, he is a bit smaller and he just looks a bit goofy in a ravenesque kind of way. A raven geek, if you will. But he’ll be fine.

Jack still feeds him direct sometimes and he is flying pretty well although a severe bank is not yet part of his aviation skills repertoire. When he attempts a quick turn, he falls from his loftier elevation and has to catch himself half-way down. It is hard to watch sometimes – especially the first few times. But he is still in the air and seems to be getting the hang of it.

The other three are ‘good to go’ and I suspect that they will be shown the door as soon as the geek is ready. The parents are quite egalitarian about that sort of thing. ‘When they go, they go together’ seems to be the rule. So, right now we have six raven and soon there will two. It is the way it is.

Sal and I harvested a small pail of clams from the lagoon this afternoon. She is going to make a pot of her should-be-famous clam chowder. OMYGAWD it is good!

She has been baking all day in anticipation of our first group of guests this summer. We’ve had one or two people come this year already but this is the first whole group (numbering four) of three students and their teacher – all from our ‘pet’ school in Hong Kong, CHMS. They come Thursday.

And so we got some prawns in. The clams and oysters keep nicely where they are and we have to do a big shop on Monday but, generally speaking, we are ready. It will be fun. Always is.

One thing is for sure – they will be quieter to live with than the ravens!

So, the ravens will leave, the students will come and we’ll have balance in the neighbourhood once again. And maybe a little peace.