Oh dear! This poor baby barn owl has somehow managed to become separated from his/her mother. From sitting on the tyre of our neighbour's truck, the owlet has flapped, fluttered, and hopped into an old wood pile where it may be safe, but for the fact that there is a hawk and a crow shadowing the fledgling's every move. I was sitting here trying to decide whether or not I should attempt to capture it and take it to the local wildlife centre. But then I came across a website that said baby owls quite frequently fall out of their nests and look helpless but are infact well equipped to look after themselves in these situations. So, I have decided to let nature take it's course.Vinomaker and I for the past several weeks, have been enjoying a glass of wine on the deck every evening at dusk, with the express intent of spotting the pair of barn owls who leave, from the exact same direction each night, on their hunting trips. We have been rewarded with low flybys over the vineyard and even one owl that alighted upon the rollbar of the tractor and glared down the vine rows.
I love barn owls and I hope this particular little guy/gal survives to one day hunt down all of Vinoland's gophers.
11 comments:
The last time I 'helped' a baby barn owl I wrecked my car...take heed.
Yes, I remember. I am sure the owlet will be OK.
great pic, ill have to get some pics of your low flying barn owls.
i think i would have to do something such a lovely bird i couldnt let some crow have a go.
Monkey, I feel like you, Thud and I are continually trying to one up one another with the bird piccies :)
I think he will be safe from the crow, it may likely have only been protesting because it has a nest close by of its own.
Great picture, Vinogirl.
What a pic!
You watch barn owls, my wife and I used to sit on the deck at sundown and watch the bats take off for the evening meal. Love owls and bats.
Villager: Thank you, but the subject made it easy for me.
Thomas: We have bats too. Sometimes they manage to get in the house and hang about in the skylights and cathedral ceiling. It makes for a very interesting, and loud (Vinodogs barking), 20 minutes or so as Vinomaker and I attempt to escort them back to the great outdoors with brooms held aloft!
thud has bats but i have yet to see them, he also has a visiting owl but we have not seen that yet only the pellets. ill get a few more pucs this weekend. castle over the water is just brimming with life.
Monkey, your last pics were great...more please.
How wonderful that all this wildlife comes to your door! I like your photos almost as much as your articles.
I saw a hare tearing down the lane this afternoon; it was an enormous gingery coloured thing and it stopped just for a second and stared at me before legging it into the hedgerow. There's something very magical about hares.
Thank you WH for the photo compliment. As for hares, we only have jackrabbits in Napa and they are far too common in number to bother photographing!
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