 Rufus and
Emily are now two and a half weeks old and starting to look like real
owls. Notice that the top of Emily's head now reaches the second owlet
step which is ten inches above the floor. Also, the feathers that
June has groomed so perfectly are now a mixture of the original white down
and the dark brown feathers that are replacing it. Seymour, who is napping
on the floor, is only about four days behind them and continues to grow
rapidly. He is spending more time awake and starting to act more like one
of the gang. Ward and June delivered nine meals last night and then added
three more after dawn. June entered the nest to parcel them up on three
occasions, but on all others the owlets jumped up to down them whole as the
adults dangled them from the doorway. Emily spent almost two minutes
struggling to swallow an unusually large mouse this morning and ultimately succeeded.
All of the owlets look especially well-fed and relaxed this morning. |