Sad :(

Over the last 5 years we have been privileged to have Hootie and Blowfish take up residence and raise their young in our yard. We have really enjoyed watching and learning about them. Yesterday afternoon I heard screeching outside near the deck. It was a beautiful day, cool enough to have the windows open so I opened the door. I was doing things around the house and really didn't look out, just listened. A little later I went out, because the screeching seemed non stop. Here is what greeted me just off the deck.

But, they only looked at me for a few seconds. They kept looking down and doing the head bob and weave. I figured that they were hunting something in the yard, or maybe just watching something. I wasn't sure if it was both the owlets or one adult and baby. They have feathered out so much that from here it is hard to tell. Anyways, I went to the edge of the deck to see what I could see, with camera in hand (surprise,surprise.)

I wasn't sure at first what it was so I grabbed the binoculars, I almost wish I hadn't. It was an owl, or owlet?

I spared you and didn't use the zoomed in shot!

They were both just looking down and screeching.One flew off and soon the other flew down and started walking around the dead owl. At that point I figured that the one walking around must have been Hootie mourning her young, and it was very sad to watch.

She then picked it up in her talons and flew off to a tree at the edge of the yard. Sorry to be graphic but you can see it hanging below..... Then off to the woods and out of view. This all happened at about 4 in the afternoon, just before Dave came home from work. I will admit that at that point I was sure it was an owlet and was a little relieved because from what I have read over the years the adults mate for life and when one dies the other very often will turn it's head towards the tree and starve themselves to death!! I was also worried about the owlets being able to feed themselves.

I will also admit to a few tears while telling Dave about what had happened and sharing the photos, as we tried to determine which one it was and what may have happened??? Now for those who think I am overly obsessed with the owls and say that is nature, I am well aware. We know this happens, it is just hard to see it happen right in the side yard.
Later in the evening one of the owlets landed again on the perch on the deck, and we saw another owl fly to the ground. It walked around and was pouncing and flapping it's wings right where the dead on had been laying. It was then that we realized that it was 2 owlets that were left not an adult and baby. We are going to assume it is Hootie as the mother is the one that remains close and continues to feed the owlets. The male hunts but rarely feeds them, he will pass the food onto mom.

We shall have to watch and see how this plays out, hopefully they have enough skills to feed themselves or that the remaining parent will fill in. We are sad because that means there will be no more babies, at least for awhile!!! Hopefully some of the past owlets will find their old home inviting and take up residence.

We will continue to watch and if the need arises we will try to figure a way to feed them ourselves. Hopefully since they have let us get so close and seem comfortable around the house they will take something if left for them.

Also, one of the owlets landed on the roof and when we looked up at the skylights in the living room it was looking down at us!!! :) Brought a smile to our faces.

And before that what brought a smile to our face!!!?????

Lukas!! What a little bundle of joy!! :) :)

Even when he looks so serious he makes us smile..........