We had the amazing opportunity to study Owls close up and personal on the High Desert in Central Oregon. Many visits to the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center at the High Desert Museum filled our learning with detailed knowledge, close hand observation, and one on one attention from staff.
We also had opportunity to observe a baby chick owl in July of 2009. Screech – the owl pictured above – was kicked out of the nest and left to fend from himself. Days of crying – gave the name of Screech. What was first insanely interesting got to be a it overbearing with noise, and a bit intimidating to the family livestock and pets. 🙂 The family would walk around the yard with their little terrier pup named Tilly armed with a pump up squirt gun to go out to feed the chickens and work the horses. 🙂 We spent many a days watching how close this silly displaced owl would come to the family.
In June of this year – I received an Owl Pellet as a birthday gift from the Minar Family. I can’t even tell you how excited I was. Not. Even Kiddin’. I knew that the Owl Study was coming up and was screaming and hooting.
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Kathy gave me the pellet in a plastic bag, which we put on the “discovery shelf”. 10 days later – we saw that the bag had turned into a green house with the sun that shines in the afternoon. The grass from the pellet started to sprout, moisture was drawn out – condensation – Very COOL! |
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Today we spent 15 minutes outside listening to the birds. I have found that early morning/late evening is the best time to listen to the neighborhood tweet-ering gossip – and listen to the air traffic controllers up high in Sitka Spruce – but we took a chance at seeing the wood pecker in the afternoon.
We heard:
- Crows
- Peep Peep Twer Twer
- Wind in the leaves, strong – thick
- Flag Whips, Snaps, Ruffles
- Mallard Honks
- Kaw kaw kaw
- Movement of Cars, Wind, Flag Plastic Bags, Branches
- Crackling of Tree Leaves
- Quacking Ducks
- Paper
- Dog Splashing
- Pencils scratching
- Jonny Lego Giggling
- Windsock Spinning
- Distant Dog Barking
- Jet Ski Skimming
- My own fluffy snoring. What? Oh Sorry. It was so warm and cozy!
Felt – Hot sun rays and the soft wind.
Smell – Wet Earthy Vegetation. Hot Deck Wood. Lake Water.
We came inside to play with my birthday present –
The Pellet was just over 2 inches long.
Kat said that it had deteriorated in the rain in their yard.
Hmmmm. Possibly a sign that the camera needs to take a break for a few days? Grandpa was here for a while, and we have taken quite a few field trips. . . .. 
Any surprise that the big finder prize among the boys was the teeth?
Our family list of Hear, Smell, Feel
As usual, the Owl drawings include a flying dog.
Jon’s Owl and Mouse. (Run Mouse Run!)
I forgot to scientifically mention that we have been talking to anyone who knows anything about owls lately. That we went to the websites on the OHC to identify the bones that were excavated, and the boys and I read owl books from the library for about 45 minutes this afternoon. 🙂 Just sharin’ the pics with ya. 🙂 You have fun finding out the nitty gritty fun filled facts – click on over to the OHC to get started!
+Angie Wright
