SNN (ScrollingNetworkNews) ✿ ✿ Our Mel and Sydney returned to their nesting box with plenty of bonding occurring..but after 2.5 months of Sydney in the box from Dec 2013 to mid Feb 2014, the lack of prey gifts from Mel ( perhaps due to the severe and historic drought underway in California)and they have forgone the nesting process this year as many other raptors ✿ Compared to other owls of similar size, the Barn Owl has a much higher metabolic rate, requiring relatively more food. Pound for pound, Barn Owls consume more rodents – often regarded as pests by humans – than possibly any other creature. ✿ We remind viewers that sometimes owlets may not survive - the parents will dispose of things in "The Owl Way" -viewer discretion is advised, this is nature and the "Owl way". ✿ ~ ✿ “Animals, like us, are living souls. They are not things. They are not objects. Neither are they human. Yet they mourn. They love. They dance. They suffer. They know the peaks and chasms of being.” ― Gary Kowalski, The Souls of Animals ✿ Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius." ~ E.O. Wilson

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Oh Christmas Tree

Great holiday cheer on the Mall with the tree at the Smithsonian Institution Castle, the Owl tree. It is a lovely spruce with varying birds and bird themes going through it. Most of the birds shown are owls.

Like all tall buildings in large urban city areas, these towering structures sometimes become the chosen homes to birds of prey. The original Smithsonian museum building called the "Castle" by the employees has several towers. The Castle in the mid last century was the main display for the museum's birds collection, both stuffed and live. Two owls had made one of the east towers their home. The birds could often be coaxed down from the tower with food and the Castle guest could always see them at certain hours of the day. The staff at the Smithsonian fed and cared for "Increase" and "Diffusion", so named for the organizational theme in 1977 until their passing.  In their honor this year's tree features several owls ornaments. Very cute!

In photo Increase" and "Diffusion