When we went to the owls yesterday evening, we were lucky to witness how Mama Owl feeds her children. She suddenly flew over to the nest and came back carrying something with her feet - food for the owlets. She quickly started feeding the young ones.
While we were watching, we heard some people saying how gross this was. I really don't know what their problem was - this isn't gross, this is nature - a mom feeding her kids. Yes, they eat other animals. They need meat for their survival. This is not gross. It's called survival.
However, if you think you cannot see how an owl is feeding a hawk to her owlets, please stop reading here.
Mama Owl brought something for her babies to eat of which we first saw only the feet and weren't quite sure what it was. We guess it was a young hawk.
She started feeding owlet #1 by pulling parts from the dead animal and giving it to the baby bit by bit.
Can you see how she is putting the food into the owlet's mouth?
After she was done feeding owlet #1 she flew over where owlet #2 was sitting, patiently waiting, and started feeding it.
It was fascinating to watch and learn more about owl behavior. After their dinner they didn't do much except for perching on their branches. The evening before, the owlets showed us that they can already fly very short distances - from one tree to another. They won't be around for very much longer I think.
Kaefer was happy drawing the owls in her sketchbook.
9 comments:
This is fasinating...I think when they are very young the mother regurgitates the meat. I am so glad that they are all back together and doing so well. What a wonderful experience for all of you.
I'm so glad she is feeding both of them. You're going to miss them, I know, but you and Kaefer will both have plenty of sketches and photos as keepsakes, and maybe, if you're lucky, the owls will come back to nest in the same area next year.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
These are awesome photos! Thank you for the glimpse into the feeding of the owlets. I really enjoyed this post!
Amazing photos, Carola. Nature is so fascinating. :)
So glad to hear that the owl family is thriving! Wasn't 100% sure that mom would take owlet #2 back. Thanks for the update.
Rinda
Well my veggan grandson probably thinks my dinner of grilled pork tonight is gross. LOL
It's all in your persepctive.
I too love that you can see so clearly their living habits and share them with us here. These are such beautiful birds. Wow...Love your round viewer too. And your daughter's drawings are delightful. What an education she is getting!!!
You are quite right, it's "nature red in tooth and claw".
The hawk mama does the same, as does every carnivorous mama, feathered or furred.
I continue to be in awe of this saga unfolding before your very eyes, Carola. You all are so very lucky! Thanks for sharing Nature with us in this glorious way.
I'm amazed you are able to see this during the day. I thought owls were nocturnal? What a special treat.
Post a Comment