Owl Update: Pass the Cigars and the Kleenex

Today was the first sighting of a baby.  We won't be sure how many are in the box unless fortunate enough to see them leaving the nest.  The last brood we hosted had four young!

Sadly we haven't seen or heard the momma since Sunday evening.  Daily perched on the arbor in clear sight of the box, she vigilantly watched the goings on of the backyard. The poppa continues to sit in the photinia which also gives a clear view of the nest.  At dusk he leaves his roost to feed the young alone.

Momma (photo taken the Friday before she disappeared)

I fear she was prey to a great horned owl. My husband heard their nearby calls Sunday night when he was out in the yard with our dog.  I hope I'm wrong and she is just well hidden but given that I haven't heard her either, I fear the worst.

As my daughter says, they've all got babies with their beaks open and they've all got to eat.  She's right.  Still, I'm heartbroken.

Owl Update :: There You are Regal Fella!

There were six days of no owl sightings, no familiar trills in the evening, nothing.  I was sure something horrible had happened.  I fretted and pondered, coming up with all kinds of ill fated scenarios. 

A few days ago while glancing up into the branches of the windmill palm I was rewarded with the sight of the male perched proud and regal.  I love his new digs as I can catch quick glimpses of him as I work around the garden.  He sits high above the garden within clear sight of the box and his mate.   I'm wondering if he changed the location of his perch because the photinia (in my neighbor's yard) bloomed and smelled to high heaven? 

The female has been noticeably absent.  I'm guessing she is now sitting on the eggs.  She emerges for brief moments to gather some fresh air and then she tucks back into the nest. 

From The Owl Pages:

Owls lay between one and thirteen eggs, depending on the species and also on the particular season; for most, however, three or four is the more common number. The eggs are rounded and white; there is little need for cryptic markings given the concealed nature of most nest sites, and the vigor with which they are defended. Incubation of the eggs usually begins when the first one is laid, and lasts, in most species, for around thirty days. During incubation, the eggs are rarely left alone. Female owls, like many other birds, develop a sparsely feathered area on their bellies called a brood patch. The almost bare skin has a higher density of blood vessels than other parts of the skin, providing a direct source of warmth when in contact with the eggs.

Momma owl is going to be putting that brood patch to good use the next couple of days.  We're experiencing a late cold front.  It's raining as I type (yay!) and the north wind is howling.  Lows are expected in the 30's-40's tonight depending on location.  My garden is usually a few degrees colder than the central city.  I'll be covering a few plants just in case. 

There's never a dull moment in a Texas garden.

Birding :: In The Backyard

Yesterday the male owl left the box giving the female a chance to catch some fresh air.  He perched in a nearby shrub where he had a clear view of the nest.  The squawking jays gave his position away.  The female took advantage of his departure and sat napping for the bulk of the afternoon.  She didn't seem concerned as I tidied the patio and kept an eye on her.  

She is bigger than the male and her markings look darker to me.  When she sits at the opening more of her body leans forward giving a better glimpse of her full head.  The male typically has his head pulled back more and his ears aren't as visible.  

female Eastern screech owl 2014

The female from the last family we hosted in 2012 was red and much easier to distinguish from the male who was gray.  She was a beautiful owl and had such a fierce, stern look about her. 

female Eastern screech owl 2012

Judging from the clarity of the photo from 2012, I need to clean my lens or else the window; or maybe both! 

Monday several dozen cedar waxwings swooped in and gathered in the tops of the live oak trees in the greenbelt.  There is a nasty Chinaberry tree back there too; maybe they are eating those berries?  Large groups congregate around the edge of the stock tank pond for a quick drink.  They are gorgeous birds.  You can learn more about them here.

Today I glanced up into the oaks while standing at the sink (my second favorite spot to watch the owls) and saw something big fly in.  My first thought was that it was one of the owls but it was actually a red shouldered hawk.  He sat high in the canopy of the tree scanning the entire backyard looking for something tasty.  After a few minutes and finding nothing of interest he moved on.  I think our yard is a regular stop after the incident I witnessed a few weeks ago.

While putzing around the garden I startled a rabbit (it startled me too) and it went running across the yard toward the fence.  As it darted toward what it thought was safety, a hawk swooped down from the trees above and nearly caught it!  Oh! My! Gosh!  I can't imagine what it would have been like to witness that carnage!  You know, if I'm being honest, it wouldn't hurt my feelings if the rabbit moved on... Don't judge.

Have you had any surprises in the garden lately?

I'm Like a Momma with a New Baby

Y'all I can't help myself.  I'm completely smitten with this guy.  I'm transfixed.  Maybe even a bit obsessed.  

He's visible from the kitchen, dining and family room windows.  Upstairs the best view is from my son's room.  Specifically, his bed.  Where I perch.  Constantly.  To take more photos.  

He/she? has taken to sitting at the opening of the box during the day which leads me to think the box must be getting a bit crowded.  With momma and eggs?  I don't know.  Maybe with owlets?  It seems early for that though.  

The eggs take nearly a month to hatch and then the owlets are box bound for approximately another month.  You can be sure I'll keep you posted!  I just pray I'll get to take some photos of the owlets because they are the CUTEST things ever.

On the down side, I haven't spotted many anoles yet this spring.  My garden is usually thriving with their presence...  Having said that, I noticed this the last time we had owls nesting here and their population recovered. 

The folks that live here with me are pretty sure I need an intervention.   I claim there are much worse things I could be doing with my time.  

We Rejoice and Give Thanks :: Spring

Dear God, 

We rejoice and give thanks for earthworms, 

                                                     

bees, ladybirds and broody hens; for

                                                    

humans tending their gardens, talking to 

                                                   

animals, cleaning their homes and singing to 

                                                     

themselves; for the rising of the sap, the 

                                                    

fragrance of growth, the invention of the

                                                     

wheelbarrow and the existence of the

                                                     

teapot, we give thanks.  We celebrate and 

                                                     

give thanks. 

                                                  

Amen

                                                     

The Prayer Tree - Leunig

p.s. we rejoice and give thanks for screech owls too ♥

Wordless Wednesday :: For the Love of Birds

Eastern Screech Owls ~ A Party at Casa de Cat

The day has come, sadly.  The screech owls left the box last night.  But oh what a party they had!  And oh how they surprised us!

Picture the four of us tightly perched on a twin size bed, faces pressed to the window, watching as one of the owlets appeared only to be pushed from the box by another owlet trying to get a better view.  We stared with rapt attention and rapidly beating hearts, wondering what would happen to this now vulnerable baby.

Fortunately, my husband placed the box in such a way that there is a limb where the owlets can perch directly below the opening of the box.  The momma flew in with what appeared to be a baby rodent, surveyed the situation, didn't seem too concerned then hovered at the opening to feed the nesting babies. 

Yes, I said babies...there are four!  Steadily, with the exception of one, we watched as the others bailed from the box.  We fretted, cooed and marveled as if they were our own offspring!

By this time, it was dark but I managed to get a {quite blurry} photo of the four of them.

The antics of these four cuties was so entertaining!  We watched for a good hour.  Three were out and exploring their expanded world while one unsure squirt hung back and watched from the safety of the box.

One bold fellow lost it's footing and fell from the perch, landing among the elephant ear.  My husband exclaimed that the leaf actually caught and slowed the fall.  That demonstrates just how light they are.  My daughter and I ventured outside to see if it was okay.  We tip-toed around in the dark, scanning the beds to no avail.  We stopped near one of the trees and I jumped when I realized the owlet was clinging to the side of the tree trunk at waist level!  My daughter was a mere 12 inches from the baby!

In my excitement I snapped a photograph.  In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have.  My daughter and I wondered at how the light from the camera may have bothered it's eyes.  I hope not too much.  It had a lot of work ahead of it to get back up into the canopy of the tree.  It was a straight, vertical ascent.

At this writing, two juveniles are with the momma roosting high in the oak, while at least one is still in the box.  I'm not sure if the fourth is in the box or off with the papa...I haven't seen either of them today. 

The indistinguishable gray fuzzies behind her are the babies. 

Last one in the house?  Oh, have I mentioned how much I'm going to miss these guys?

Here is a great link for detailed information on their habits.

Proudly Passing Out Cigars ~ Eastern Screech Owlets!

The proud parents:   Momma owl still watchful and protective as ever.

Papa owl still on security patrol nearby the box, always vigilant.

And making their debut in the garden: owlets!

Enjoyed my tea on the patio early this morning, delighting in the sound of gentle trills from the owls.  The first photo was taken two days ago, mid-day.  The second and third, this morning at dawn.  I'll be getting up early tomorrow too!

Meet Ginger ~ Our Beautiful Red Owl!

The owlets have gotten big enough for Mama, (Ginger), to leave the box.  I've seen her perched at the entrance a couple days in a row for short periods of time.  She sits and makes the softest little sounds; almost like a soft bleating or cooing.  At times she sounds like a kitten. Today, while I watched from a window, she took off to roost in a nearby shrub so I set out with camera in hand to find her.  Isn't she beautiful!?!  No sign of the owlets yet but I'm hopeful it won't be long.

I'm feeling so blessed to have these owls nest in our yard.  This has been such an amazing experience!  Thank you DJ for such an awesome Christmas present!  It's the gift that just keeps on giving :)

Might I Have Owl on the Brain? What Do You See?

Eastern screech owls are all I can think of.  We experience a rush of exhilaration every time we see them.  A cute, little face appears at the box opening each evening as the sun slips below the horizon.  With the porch light on we can see the opening of the box clearly but I hate to disturb them with the light.  Last night we watched the male swoop in from the greenbelt through the tree canopy with a nice sized morsel for his mate! 

We don't however, get any photographs.  A couple of friends with owl boxes have captured photos of their resident owls during the day.  Admittedly, I haven't been home much during the past week so maybe they are coming to the opening in the daylight hours and I just haven't seen them.  I hope so.

How long, I wonder, will I be seeing owls in everything I come across...like this old water pump handle fitting...

What do you see in the picture above?  Do you see the owl?

{This image was taken in March at night.  The box is clearly visible from my son's room with the porch light on...but I am seriously hoping to get some shots of them during the day.}

30 Days of Giving Thanks!

 Thankful today for you, the readers of The Whimsical Gardener.

A huge virtual hug goes out to all of you!  I'm so thankful to have discovered this wonderful blogging community through a simple photographic journal of my garden. 

30 Day Challenge ~ Thanksgiving ~ Day 17

What do you do with an acorn

and a nest?

Why, you discover a new pet, of course!

Thankful today for found objects and a few minutes 

of imaginative play.

To think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.

                                                          ~ George Kneller 

Revisiting Espy

Each year a word is selected to inspire and guide me through the upcoming year.  You can read about the process here if you're curious.  This year's word is 'espy'.

Simply put, it's about slowing down, being purposeful and catching glimpses of moments that so typically escape our attention.  At this half-way point of the year, I thought it a good time to give an update on some moments espied in the garden recently.

There are several hummingbirds flitting about the garden and I often see them at the feeders but I consider it a special moment captured when I'm able to get a shot of them feeding at the flowers.  This photo gives a good impression of how easy it is to miss the moment and what a gift it is to catch it.

This cardinal couple regularly visits the liner of this hanging basket to supplement their nest.  It's difficult to see the pieces of fiber she is holding in her beak but she pulls several each visit and carries them back to her nest.  The male is never far from her side during these shopping expeditions.  See him in the lower right corner atop the Japanese Maple?

The drought has been so intense that even the coneflowers have shown stress.  Upon inspecting the damage to their petals I came across a couple of surprises...

I'm sometimes tempted to cut these flowers back as they are looking pretty tired already but then I see how much the insects depend on them and I'm reminded of the importance of them to the wildlife.  I know that if I let them go to seed, the birds will delight in their abundance.  I'm learning patience and realigning my priorities.

Last night as I looked out the upstairs window I noticed a small orange spot atop the bamboo trellis in the back perennial bed.  This trellis is all the way across the yard so it wasn't a clear view but I really hoped that what I was seeing was a red dragonfly.  This morning...

My friend and I slowly walked toward him.  He would fly off but then come right back.  Then to make the moment even more special, another red dragonfly came along and we were able to watch them in their companionable acrobatics.  They are so fascinating!

Did you notice the tiny bit of web in the lower right corner of the dragonfly photo?  This is the spider that lives in that web...its lower left web strand is attached to the bamboo and the rest spreads along the iron fence.   This little guy appears to be doing some repair work.

With the drought, this fountain is a hopping spot all day long.  It appears to bring out the selfishness in some users...see the female lesser goldfinch being chased away by the male?

But this little female was not to be deterred.  Not only that but she wasn't content to be so far away from the male.

She keeps moving closer without any regard for his demonstrations of superiority.

She ambles over toward him until he finally accepts that she isn't going anywhere.

These espied moments in the garden make the hard work and effort worthwhile.  The moments are dearly treasured and held close to my heart as they bring immense pleasure and comic relief as this drought lingers.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy April Fool's Day!

   The eggs are not real; the nest is.  A little gardening April foolishness!