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

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Adventures with Mel and Syd - MBA

Mel arrived to the box at 6:37pm.
He preened and made sure he was looking good for the night.
He stepped out 9:17pm to the porch and flew off at 9:21 & returned after 12:08am and Sydney was right behind him.
Could this be the night? 
Was the mood right?
For bonding delight in our eyesight?






 She landed on the porch 12:09 then went inside 12:11am.
The stand off begins..
Mel takes his stance, swaying back and forth, hissing , beak snapping, he lifts his wings as if he is wearing a cape of feathers.
She has her wing shoulders up to the point where they are close to her ears. She tries to not make eye contact, and looks out they door.














And then it happens.. 
Mel slowly takes a few steps towards the front where she stands and hops.
Are they fighting?
Underneath the view of the inside cam, we get a look from the palm cam view and the entrance hole, just what is going on.
It happened 12:35am, up front by the door, bonding amour,
Will there be an encore?


Sydney decided to fly the coop so to speak 12:37, as Mel seems baffled yet proud.
Mel went outside and took off 12:53, circled then Syd chased him into the trees.
An owl did a touch & go landing on the roof 1:14am.


Mel returns with a treat at 2:34am & placed it in the upper right pantry.
Way to to go Mel !!!
Knowing he is now playing the game the right way by showing off his hunting skills.
He steps out to look for Syd 3:54 then steps back in when she lands on the porch 4:12.
He danced & deeted for her to come in..
but she played coy..

Sydney left 4:24. So there will be no encore of the amour that happened 1 minute after 12:34.
Getting too close to sunrise at 6:04am & not wanting the risk of being seen, Mel needing a potty break, backed up & squirted by the front door.
Wow just look at the size of that hork Mel did the day before..

We have Mel and his treat for the day..
Will he eat the treat or save it for his lady?
Stay tuned..


She may not have a GHA, or even guessed the FNN for the night,
not even one trivia point either but she won the ultimate big daddy of them all.
Congrats Sunza on winning the MBA contest.
1st Bonding 2/13 12:35am, Sunza’s timeblock 2/13 2:00am- –2:14am.

We are just 28 days behind last years bonding date of 1/16/12