2011 - Eastern Screech Owl Nestbox in Austin!

[dale]

over-the-top cool photos of all Sallie's screechlets. Wow.
http://gargravarr.cc.utexas.edu/owl/2011/20110421/

Plus there is a new blog entry with the same photos: http://chriswjohnson.blogspot.com/search/label/Nest%20Box%20Cam

On the nestbox page, this entry:
April 23 – Owlet no. 4 is reported to be starting to open its eyes, but it’s much too soon to determine what state they’re in. Meanwhile, owlet no. 5, the adoptee, might be added to the nest late tonight. (I know: promises, promises … but it could happen.) Whenever I next bring down the nest box, I’m planning on adding a vent in the lower-right corner of the far wall, as seen from the owl cam’. I’ve been watching the owls panting (technically, it’s called “gullar fluttering�) in the heat of the day for too long now. I think a little cross-ventilation could help enormously. Unfortunately, it will be a problem during cold periods, so, if the vent is installed, I’ll need to make provisions for covering it during the cold parts of coming years (I think we can assume that cold won’t be a major issue for the remainder of this nesting season). One other problem the vent might cause is adding bright light to the box in a place where it’s never been present before. Whether that’ll skew camera exposure for the worse, cause unexpected refelections, etc., is just something I’ll have to determine empirically.

[Donna]

Oh they are adorable, bless Chris for doing what he thought was right and helping. I feel bad for the little guy with the eyes. Thanks dale!

[MAK]

Awww, they are just as cute as can be!!   

[dale]

Some of these shots kind of look like a train station at rush hour. Yes there are four there. 1,2,3, and 5.


April 24 – [10:39 PM] Owlet no. 5 is now at home in the nest box, and has even received a nice, big gecko from Mme. Owl, who watched patiently with that gecko while I installed the new vent, photographed the kids, closed-up the nest box, hauled it back to its place in the tree, stowed all the cables, and put all my stuff away. After that, she was in there like a shot. The appearance of an exta kid gave her pause for thought, but she didn't wait long to feed the adoptee, especially since all of her own owlets were still playing dead after having their nest disturbed. No. 5 couldn’t have cared less about the disturbance, having become accustomed to people, so he/she was the only one paying attention when mom was offering the gecko around.  Also, I now have a bag of frozen my mice in my freezer, so I can supplement the family's food supply while mom and dad adjust to having four mouths to feed, again.

[Donna]

  Glad #5 was accepted. Thanks!

[Dumpsterkitty]

   

I don't know...whaddaya think?  Looks different than I remember him somehow...

[Dumpsterkitty]

   

I can't help it if I'm bigger  I think I'll just stand in the corner...

[Dumpsterkitty]

I think Chris might want to think about putting something over that vent hole! 

[Dumpsterkitty]

   

I can't help it if I'm bigger  I think I'll just stand in the corner...

Don't be sad...we're ready to play now! 

[dale]

Don't be sad...we're ready to play now!

haha!  Good catch! First of the season like that. Now the fun starts...

[dale]

Did Chris install a Starbucks at the far end of the nestbox or something?

[Dumpsterkitty]

It must have been a trick of the light earlier-I see there is a louver in the vent hole...

[Dumpsterkitty]

Did Chris install a Starbucks at the far end of the nestbox or something?

Guess they got tired of waiting for the barista...

[Dumpsterkitty]

Owlets?  What owlets?  I don't know nuthin' 'bout no owlets!

[dale]

Owlets?  What owlets?  I don't know nuthin' 'bout no owlets!

...she doesn't know nuthin' - the carpeting doesn't know nuthin' - nobody knows nuthin'...