 After
going all day without food, the owlets were in a state of panic when June
climbed up to the door just before dark. They are shown here just as she
flew away to leave them alone. She only went a short distance where she
attempted to hunt as small birds dive bombed her and scared away any prey
she might have pounced on. When she gave up and flew back to the nest
without a catch, the owlets were all over her as they snapped and wheezed
for the meal they expected her to bring back. This was only one of three
such trips she made in the next two hours, and all ended in failure. She
was apparently too concerned about the owlets' safety to travel further, or
stay out long enough to have a realistic chance of a catch. They did not
get their first meal until 11pm, when Ward finally showed up with a catch.
June's greeting was wild, and the owlets frantic scramble for the morsels
she parceled out was even wilder. He showed up with another catch just
fifteen minutes later, so that things had quieted down a bit by midnight.
The owlets have clearly outgrown Ward's ability to bring in prey and
things should continue to be difficult until June is able to leave them
alone for long enough to do some serious hunting. |