R: Ma and Pa Owl.
Today I finally visited my owls in my backyard. It feels like MONTHS since I’ve seen any of them.
It’s been so long that I wasn’t that confident I’d find them. Truly. But, Ma and Pa Owl are hanging in/near the Owl Nursery. And they seem to do this at the start of Fall. Perhaps to ensure they kick out any Owlets?
Started up the Owl Nursery Trail, and a man was standing in the nursery. I approached, and he greeted me. Then asked if I’d seen any birds of prey. “I just got here, so…,” I replied. Then I noticed a Great Horned Owl deep in the nursery. “But there’s one right there,” I said. It was in a spot I’ve not seen them in before. Quite protected. Very still.
After chatting with the man a bit, about how they’re in the area and the like, he left. And I started looking more closely at the GHO. It was indeed the one who’s in recovery. And my last theory was that it’s Ma Owl. Its nose looks darker now. Color is coming back! But the face still looks like it was in a recent brawl. Poor thing. I can only hope it ends up mostly recovered someday.
As it wasn’t quite sunset yet, and she wasn’t moving much, I headed over to the Slime Mold Lab Trail. No GHO I could see in the fakenesttree or otherwise in the area. So I came back.
She woke up a bit. Turned around. Looked very intently in the direction of the fakenesttree. Even head-bobbing. Hm! Then she flew right over to it. And starting making hoot-grunting noises. When I arrived, I could see that she flew right next to ANOTHER OWL. Turns out Pa Owl was there the whole time! Sneaky.
They duet-hooted a bit. No sign (audible or visual) of any Owlet.
But they both confirmed their Ma and Pa Owl Status. With their low hoots and high hoots. And I’m feeling more confident that’s who they are. They even have the right looks for each of them. Ma Owl gave me death rays. Pa Owl gave me goofy looks.
Then Pa Owl flew off in the direction of the Lily Pond. Ma Owl stayed a bit. Caught her opening her mouth wide for a second. Like they do. I thought I’d try to follow Pa Owl to see where he landed. And on my way to find him, she followed in the same direction. But I wasn’t able to locate them after that. No hoots. And it was getting dark. So that was my cue.
Didn’t get great photos. Didn’t spend anywhere near as much time with them as I’d have liked. HOWEVER. I saw them. The two of them. And they are as close as ever. And it was DELIGHTFUL to visit with them, even eversobriefly. So, there.
I had initially invited Miller to join me, who recently expressed interest in meeting any of my owls. But I called it off when the fog appeared to be rolling in. And yet, around 6:30pm, it had cleared up enough to head out after all. But it was too late for him to join me. I was really hoping I’d be able to convert him into an intern for me. I mean, who doesn’t want Owl Witch Intern on their resumé? Maybe I’ll get another chance soon. Or rather, he will!
