https://www.facebook.com/potplantowl/ph ... =3&theaterPot Plant Owl
Often in the past, the chicks have explored out and then when they could fly up, they returned to the balcony nest for a few days. If you look at the photo, you can see the height difference of the rooftops where chicks are and where Lady is. The chicks don't have the strength to fly up to the big rooftop yet. Typically when they can achieve this, they don't come back. I say typically because we have had years when the owlets were ace pilots who could easily fly up and yet they refused to leave - lol
Pot Plant Owl
What a day! Started out with a 'rude' alarm at 04h30 (WAY too early for me). I got up and checked on the owls and saw the two owlets on the neighbour's lower rooftop. I posted a picture of this earlier today.
We then had the worry of the dogs that live in the house. They are kept inside the house but must go out for toiletries and play (one is a big rottweiler).
SO, 05h30 I'm driving - yes, first time driving a very short distance after my shoulder op - to my step dad's place to drop our dogs off. Back again a few minutes later and then Allan and I brought the neighbour's dogs to our garden to run around. The reasoning behind this is if the owlets lose their balance and tumble down, the dogs won't get them. Even though there is not a big distance between the two houses, Pappa and Lady see that dogs on our side now don't pose a threat.
We 'babysat' the dogs for a few hours while the owlets remained content on the lower rooftop. Pappa settled into a big tree in the neighbour's garden and Lady took her guard position on the balcony. Each parent had a great view of the owls.
Wednesday brings with it another set of challenges - garden service day. The neighbours have a garden service once weekly coming in to do lawns and trimming. So I had to explain to the owner of the company the situation and together we 'tested the waters' by walking around the garden - no umbrellas - to see if the parents reacted. Thankfully they didn't so the garden service was allowed into the garden for weekly clean up.
Did I mention that we are currently experiencing a HEAT WAVE here? The position our Intrepid Explorers took on the lower roof provides them absolutely no shade at all in the middle of the day. What do owlets do when they are too hot? They move and try find shade.
Knowing that this was likely to happen, we had to make a plan. Our dogs were at my step dad's place which is also hot and he's at work. We had to do another doggie juggle and take neighbour's dogs back (with strict instructions to house keeper not to let dogs out the house), and bring our dogs back to stay indoors and escape the heat. In the meantime, Intrepid Explorers had bolted from their original positions and found a slither of shade without falling off...phew!
The rest of the afternoon was much the same: letting dogs in and out, while being mindful of owlets that move and fall.
This is a photo taken on the lower rooftop where the stinkers spent most of their day in the shade.
Abi razbainieki uzlec laktā, lai vērotāji tos var labi apskatīt. Lēdija ir otrā podā
Vakar vakarā...Pot Plant Owl
Mpho has made it to the very top of the rooftop!
This pic shows Pappa on the right hand side of the roof, Mpho at the top on the left (hissing away), and Thabs below left on the lower roof trying to get up.
Thabs tried flying - got as far as window frame then flopped back down.
Soon, little owlet, soon...
Thabs bijis aizlidojis uz otru kaimiņu mājas jumtu un tur notupējis visu nakti, kamēr ārā bijusi spēcīga vētra. Mazais dumiķītis nav iedomājies sameklēt kādu aizvēju vai aizlidot. Šorīt Alans viņu izmirkušu atradis uz celiņa un atnesis uz balkona pie Mpho un Lēdijas.Pot Plant Owl
Early morning update on 7 Dec:
Everyone is well and accounted for. Thabs found its way to another neighbour's house (Deon and Inge who helped us the other day).
There was a terrific storm last night and Mpho spent the entire time on the top roof. Silly owlet didn't try find shelter or fly off.
Both chicks are on the balcony now with Lady. Thabs was water-logged and on the road of the complex this morning, so Allan picked it up and put it with Lady and Mpho on the balcony.
I suspect that this will be the last time they will all be together at our place. They are flying very well - even Thabs. Pappa is in a tree near our gate.
Some pics - there are three owls on the balcony - can you see them?
Skatās mājas saimniecei Treisijai taisni acīs 
Cik jauki stāsti par jaukajiem pūčulēniem 
Pot Plant Owl
7 Dec update:We've been privileged to have both owlets on the balcony all day. They snooze, preen, hiss / beg for food, jump on things and snuggle each other.Just after 19h00 our time, one of the chicks flew off and made it to the top of neighbour's roof. Five minutes later, the second chick made it too!So super proud of these two little adoptees! Just goes to show what a lot of love and encouragement can do for adoptees! They are ALL truly special (human and non-human alike).
We've been privileged to have both owlets on the balcony all day. They snooze, preen, hiss / beg for food, jump on things and snuggle each other.
Just after 19h00 our time, one of the chicks flew off and made it to the top of neighbour's roof. Five minutes later, the second chick made it too!
So super proud of these two little adoptees! Just goes to show what a lot of love and encouragement can do for adoptees! They are ALL truly special (human and non-human alike).
1st pic - today on the balcony
2nd pic - chicks and Lady on the rooftop
Video - chicks hissing / begging for food https://www.facebook.com/potplantowl/vi ... 67506/?t=5
Pot Plant Owl
15 Dec update: The owlets are still on our balcony...not in the pot plant nest, but in their comfort zone.
One of the chicks loves snoozing on the awning so is out of sight most of the day. The other chick pesters its mom, Lady who must have the patience of a Saint sometimes.
Pot Plant Owl
6 hrs ·
16 Dec update: And they are still here! How adorable are these pictures of the family with one of the owlets using a piece of shade cover as a hammock.
Does it get any cuter?
