Friday, May 8, 2009

Fledgelings




I crossed Chapel Bridge and went all the way out to the Road view spot to check on Owl...sighted in with the minidigi and binocs...and the Cottonwood Bowl was empty!...with some consternation, I paddled back...and had to wait for an opening when no tourists were about the Beach...which is very small at the moment as the water is very high!...finally, got window of opportunity!..and, with the minididgi ready on the tripod, paddled out to one of the Knolls...looked up at the Cottonwood with the binocs...and the Bowl was still empty!...and it looked very empty after all the days of seeing Owl there!!...downhearted, I checked the Two Ponderosas for Owl...but no luck..then checked the Cottonwood again...and I glimpsed one of the Young Owls hidden by the leaves on a limb near the Bowl...veryvery cool...a Fledgling....I sighted in and got some hurried clips...and the pic above...and got so bold to go out into the Meadow aways for a favorite framed shot...one I'd taken in the snow and rain before...the ground is hard already from the warm days..and while doing handheld clips and pics with the new 20x, I spotted the second Young Owl...perched on another limb above the first..and even more hidden...this was just wonderful to see!...the Young Owls have both fledged...I was trying hard not to attract attention...photogs all over!...and hurried....a family showed up...playing flute and guitar..and sitting at the Beach..thought to ask them to do a soundtrack for the clips!...but thought better...too much ruckus maybe for the Young Owls...dont know where Mama Owl was...'out hunting' a friend at work speculated..'babies to feed'..and that's likely the case...I picked up...and tried to get some more pics from the Path..but couldn't see them...went back to the Knoll to check...and they were still on the limbs...took one last handheld clip in hd...a pan in and out....for sometime..when the Owls are off...and likely home again in Owl Woods!...I'd read that Owls when they've fledged just go to a nearby branch and sit awhile...how long I'm not sure...I've been concerned they'd fly down to the ground and not be able to fly back up...that could still happen...and still a concern!...what with ruckus makers about!...hopefully, it wont be long before the Young Owls can fly strong...and where ever they please in the Incomparable Valley!!!...sunny warm and blue.....well...ten to twelve weeks to flying...first saw Owl at the Cottonwood 'hollow'...that's the word I was looking for!!...about eight or nine weeks ago...well..up tomorrow early to see if the Young Owls are out and about!!
Blog of the Day (veryvery cool)

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