Fred and Ginger update....5-22-10

I know I have been a little lax this year in the owl updates, I think it may have something to do with having a little someone that has my heart. Can you guess who that is???? Without a doubt I will have an update on him soon too!!! :) :)

On with the update!! Two days ago one of the owlets ventured out onto the nest box opening. I will say this is Fred as the name comes first. We had a little stare down.

I think he won!!

Later that day both Fred and Ginger came out for a look at the goings on!. I am always intrigued with their legs.....funny looking little things!!

The braver they get the farther out they will come. As you can see they both made it to the perch. Seems that we never know how long they will stay at the box and when they will take off. This night after dark I kept hearing the tell tale screeching from one of the babies. It sure sounded like it was coming from more near the creek and not the box. Then it started to rain, and it rained all night. Between the hooting and screeching and the rain we didn't get much sleep.....I know shut the window!!

The next morning I went out to see what was happening with the owlets.....oh, they had not left the box as you can see!! Anyways, I had just set the camera down when I saw Hoootie working her way to the box. Often if we are out near the box you can spot her or Blowfish flying from tree to tree getting closer and closer. Both owlets started really screeching and clacking their beaks.....and here she came!!!!



What a difference one day can make!! We got up this morning and when we turned on the video camera the box was empty. I ventured out and about 10 feet away from the box I found Ginger. Why do I say Ginger....just because she was the one lingering in the box and since she was closer this morn. I was looking for Fred when I noticed one of the parents working their way to keep an eye on me. I didn't care to tick them off so I headed in. I will go and search a little later this morning and see if I can find Fred.

So this is what we are left with. They will not come back to the box again. I say that now, but one did work her way back to the box last year when we had some bad weather the day they left. Normally they do not do this and we just have to watch and listen for them.

It is kind of sad because you never know if this is our last year or not so we will enjoy them while we can!!