 The
owlets are now all old enough to get along without constant attention so
that June has been able to spend the morning on a nearby perch.
Ernie has been sandwiched between the older owlets as shown here
while waiting for June's return. June has only stopped in once to spend
about thirty minutes preening them before leaving again. While she is out,
she calls to them several times each minute with her whining sound and
they respond with their wheezing. The fussing of crows and Jays in the
distance suggests that Ward is doing some daytime hunting, but nothing has
shown up at the nest yet. There have been no feedings all morning and the
owlets are more than ready for his appearance. Notice that the ears of the
older owlets are now almost covered by feathers. Contrary to popular
opinion, an owl's ears are not on the top of its head, but in about the
same spot as a human's ears. Ernie's ears are still clearly visible. |