| The owlets seemed completely at home as they
ascended into their new world. They climbed and flapped their wings with confidence and
excitement as they explored every branch. When Theodore came to the end of a large branch
more than forty feet up in the tree, he welcomed the excuse to leap off and flutter gently
to the ground. I would not call it flying, but it was close enough to keep him from being
harmed. June quickly joined him on the ground and herded him further back into the woods
where he eagerly started up another tree. It was then that I knew they were ready to meet
the challenges of their new world. Soon after that, I lost track of the owlets in the
dense foliage, but occasionally catch a glimpse of an adult flying low to supervise the
start of their new adventure. It normally takes a barred owlet about four weeks to learn
to fly, but after watching them today, I would not be surprised to see it happen sooner
for Wally and Theodore. Ward and June will continue to feed them for the rest of the
summer as they learn to hunt for themselves. They should then be ready to fly off in
search of their own territories. If you should see one of them, please remember that they
are wild creatures who do not know how to deal with humans. They will not survive unless
we keep our distance and give them the tranquility and space they need to raise their
families.
|
 |
