 Emmett
parked himself in the doorway just before sunset so that he would get the
first shot at the rash of food deliveries that come with darkness.
He was determined to be the only one in the doorway and blocked Abigail's
many attempts to join him. Ernie did not even make an effort to climb up
as he listened to the squealing and wheezing that accompanied the
deliveries. Emmett got the first four before Abigail managed to force
herself in next to him and intercept two mouse deliveries. They then both
climbed back down into the nest where Ernie was having another panic
attack. This time, however, Ernie finished with his frogman routine and
his wheezing in a hurry and went over to look up at the doorway. After
much struggling, he managed to climb up and wait for his first meal of the
evening. He is shown here shortly before Ward arrived with a snake, which
he quickly swallowed. He remained in the doorway until the next meal was
delivered before crashing back down onto the nest box. I'm not sure that
he will be ready to leave with the older owlets, but his chances are
certainly looking better. Things have been relatively noisy on this rainy
night and I suspect that all three owlets are still in the nest. |
The
coyotes that yelped frantically near the nest box last night made it a
relief to see all three of the owlets in the nest at daybreak. They
started the day with so much energy that it looked like they might leave
at any minute, but June's frequent trips to deliver food and preen them
appeared to dampen their enthusiasm. The heavy rain and cool temperatures
that we experienced today may also have played a role in the delay of
their departure. Whatever the reason, June spent her day hunting and did
very little of the whining that normally encourages them to try to get to
her. She is shown here just before taking off after a mouse delivery this
morning. While Emmett and Abigail are shown together here, he is usually
the first one up and leaves shortly after she joins him.