Birdfeeding

[ysabetwordsmith]

Today is mostly sunny and mild.   

I fed the birds.  I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

My air plants arrived!  :D  So today I need to assemble the lantern terrarium.

EDIT 11/3/25 -- I took some pictures around the yard and started laying out pieces for the lantern terrarium.

EDIT 11/3/25 -- I've been working on the lantern terrarium, trimming the branch that will go inside and testing a few air plants to fit it.  Currently I have it soaking in a tray of water to rehydrate the lichens.

EDIT 11/3/25 -- I've done more work on the lantern terrarium.  I have the main branch soaked, and I picked up some more twigs and chips in hopes of creating more spaces to lodge the air plants.  I've glued the first piece in place, the chip I cut off the bottom end.

While I was outside, I saw the great horned owl and heard it hooting.  Then I heard a shriek.  A baby owl!  :D 3q3q3q!!!  I am 99% certain that the conversation translates to this:

Baby: "I'm hungry!"

Mama: "Shh.  Go to sleep.  Shh."

Baby: "FEED ME!"

Mama: "It is the middle of the DAY.   Now GO THE FUCK TO SLEEP."

EDIT 11/3/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 11/3/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 11/3/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Comments

[pameladean]

GREAT HORNED OWL AND BABY! That's awesome.

A number of years ago word went around the birding newsgroups that Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, a known haunt of great horned owls, had an owl chick right in their tiny oak savannah. Dozens of people came to look, but were really good about keeping the distance dictated by the garden and not clumping up and being noisy.

The chick was a total fluffball and the parent extremely imposing -- through binoculars. But you get one at home!

P.

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> A number of years ago word went around the birding newsgroups that Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, a known haunt of great horned owls, had an owl chick right in their tiny oak savannah. Dozens of people came to look, but were really good about keeping the distance dictated by the garden and not clumping up and being noisy.<<

Awesome.

>>The chick was a total fluffball and the parent extremely imposing -- through binoculars.<<

They are surprisingly huge.

>> But you get one at home! <<

I have about 2 acres of yard that contains both wooded and open areas, with lots of big old trees some of which have dead branches. Around this is farmland, which has been harvested. That offers high perches with excellent line of sight to hunting grounds, thus is popular with large birds such as owls, hawks, crows, occasionally even vultures or eagles. :D