I thought I might go back and explain how I named the Grogs to make them more memorable. To the left is Sunshine Winger-Grog and above is Arthur Conan Grog, Esq. Not long after I had started noticing these ravens, I read an article in the Los Angeles Times about the ravens at the Tower of London and one that escaped. "A raven called Grog, the Tower's notes say, "was last seen outside an East End pub called the Rose and Punchbowl."
What kind of amazing raven could escape the Tower? I mean, think of all the those decapitated wives of Henry VIII! Not only that Grog escaped but that he was last seen at a pub, this doubled my admiration. As for his forenames, I thought Arthur Conan was appropriate in two senses: Firstly, King Arthur is believed to have returned in the form of a raven and secondly, Arthur Conan after the creator of the most famous sleuth, Sherlock Holmes. Along with Grog's apparent regality, I thought it would take a clever detective to escape the fortress that has imprisoned so many kings and queens.
I somehow imagined with all those tourists at the Tower that Grog had heard of California and so might have made his way, riding westward. What more Californian than sunshine? And so Sunshine I named his California girl, Sunshine, who never had a gorgeous day I'm afraid. But A.C. Grog would delve beneath appearances. Sunshine has a funny flat head (not precisely evident in the above photo) from which her beak extends in a continuous plane. She stands out in many ways. Even though she sometimes can look mean, she has a lovely voice when in the mood. Sunshine is a hard worker and good mate to Grog. Her wings seem forever battered from aerial battles; she's not afraid to take anything on. She seems more impatient than Grog but Sunshine is showing patience and diligence in her nest sitting. Most female ravens are smaller than the male. Not Sunshine, she is definitely Grog's equal.
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