baby owls

[wsmoak]

We've been hearing this noise outside for a while: http://vimeo.com/24595282

We tracked it down... a pair of baby barred owls, begging for food from the parents. They were still out there this morning:


110603_5321 by wsmoak, on Flickr

-Wendy

 

[4grandbabies]

We've been hearing this noise outside for a while: http://vimeo.com/24595282

We tracked it down... a pair of baby barred owls, begging for food from the parents. They were still out there this morning:

[url]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5793490256_d424086df4.jpg[/url]
110603_5321 by wsmoak, on Flickr

-Wendy

Have you seen momma? I hope they arent begging because something has happened to her

 

[wsmoak]

The parents are out there. "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?"

They're just doing the normal baby bird "FEEEEEED MEEEEEE" call.

When I walked out with the camera this morning, the top of a nearby tree shook quite dramatically (as one of the adults flew off, most likely -- their wing beats are nearly silent.)

It was, however, kind of hard to get pictures of _birds_ with the herd of cats following me around. "What'cha doing? Can I come? Pick me up!!"

-Wendy

 

[digitS']

Is that what the parents are saying, Wendy?

The cats are risking more than being fallen over by the gardener. I've had more than one person tell me that they've watched an owl grab their cat and carry it away!!

I took this picture in 2007. I'm standing in my garden! I was so lucky that year with vole & rabbit control right next door! These are the babies, Momma was at the other end of the hay barn - she was in charge of rodent control.

Steve

PS. You did a good job with your camera, Wendy. I can only say that I tried and, of course, didn't want to frighten them:

 

[NwMtGardener]

I was thinking the same thing... the cats may become lunch, watch out for them!!!

 

[vfem]

Awwwwwwwwww

 

[wsmoak]

They're getting so much better at flying! Apparently when they first leave the nest they can only climb around and jump to different branches, but now they're able flap their wings *and* land without half falling out of the tree.

They do the most adorable bobble head thing trying to get a look at you, then they tip their heads over backwards to find a new branch further away if you get too close.

They continue to make That Noise. Constantly. If they weren't so cute I'd want to strangle them. CCCCHHHHRREEEEEEP? CCCHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEP.

Momma owl is decidedly tree colored. I keep walking right up on her while I'm following the baby's sounds to find them. Then all I see is wings.

Barred owls typically don't take cats -- too much work. We have lots of squirrels and I'm sure there are mice in the woods, so I think they're well fed.

-Wendy

 

[NwMtGardener]

Haha, I lived near a family of great horned owls one year - the ruckus at night, alllll night from them was unbelievable!! But seeing them grow up was worth all the interrupted sleep I've seen that head- bobble you're describing, hilarious!! Can you post us more pics!?

 

[wsmoak]

Flickr is not cooperating again so I can't get the code to display the pictures here, but...

Baby owl in much better light this evening
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10803470@N00/5813089935/in/photostream/

And here's one of the parents watching me
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10803470@N00/5813658312/in/photostream/

Now I really must get out the _good_ camera and that lovely 70-200 L lens.

-Wendy

 

[4grandbabies]

That is just so awesome!!