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

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Adventures with Mel and Syd

After Mel delivers his first treat, Sydney places it in the pantry.

A few minutes later she retrieves the prey item.
She unzips and downsizes..
nom nom nom
and then five gulps later, it was gone.
Sydney takes off for her flyabout
Mel returns for another bonding, leaving Sydney and her feathers a little disheveled.

JUST THE FACTS: Mel delivered 3 treats to Sydney: 1st - gopher 8:12p, 2nd - sm gopher 8:58p & 3rd - pocket gopher 2:14a. Syd shredded & practiced her food call before finishing last treat 5:24a-5:30a.