 June
finally left the nest box for a few minutes and her new offspring put on
an amazing show. While their tiny down- covered bodies look helpless and
their eyes are not yet open, they are already competing! I could not
believe it as each one pushed with it's short wing stubs and legs to gain
an advantage over the other. They are both extremely energetic and each
was able to get on top of and temporarily subdue the other several times
during June's five minute outing. The one on top in this picture even
seems to be going after the egg. I'm sure that this is only a rehearsal
for the competition for food that June must constantly deal with. The
struggle did not end until June returned and subdued them. Their next
feeding was unusually loud as they had apparently worked up quite an
appetite. It's no longer Ward's challenge that I'm worried about, it's
June's. She is going to have a tough time keeping these two in line. No
sign of hatching in the third egg, and I doubt that I will hear it over
the wheezing and peeping of Rufus and Emily. The four rodents that can be
seen on the floor show that Ward is doing his part to assure that there is
enough food for both of the owlets. |