Remember, the doctor said I could hike! I even reminded him that for me that meant off trail over lots of dead fall in the forest. No problem! Five days ago I found the Amity Owls new spot in the forest. For my first couple visits the owls refused to be photographed. The combination of leaves and branches made carrying my camera futile, but yesterday morning shortly after sunrise one of the owlets said “yes!” It was Day #115 since I first saw the owlets on Easter morning back last winter. The youngsters are essentially four months old at this point. Remember, owls after hatching spend 8 to 10 days underneath their Mom last winter before saying “hello” to the world.
One might wonder how I can tell this owl is a juvenile. It now looks like an adult. Momma Owl, which I am certain I saw two days ago, has much bigger defined horns. Poppa Owl is smaller and squatter. Thus, this is one of the owlets. The juveniles have about two months remaining before they will be kicked out of this prime habitat. The parents still feed them, but not all the time. Thus, I am able to often find the juveniles hunting during the day. I spent 20 minutes with the owl till it decided it was time to sleep. When it closed its eyes I walked home.
As a fyi, when you hear robins clucking hard and non stop, there is normally a predator near by. Follow the clocks.
