Tree Climbing (and baby owls)

None of this baby owl cuteness would be visible if a brave soul didn't climb up the tree and send them down to the earth-bound owl fanciers on the ground.

Enter Jeff, RAPTOR's resident tree climber and bander. Being a certified acrophobe, I can only marvel at the courage and skill it takes to do this. Here are a few of the dozens of photos I took while watching Jeff in action.

Starting at the bottom.

Already too high up for me.

Now it's getting really scary.

(That multi-colored bag hanging off his left hip is the official Owlet Transfer Device.)

Don't look down!

Owlet acrobatics on high {shiver}

What goes up must come down.

Thanks, Jeff, for letting us have a glimpse into your world.

Owl-watching: Part 2

When last we left our baby Great Horned Owls, the two were about to meet. Owlet Number 1 is the resident from the nest can at Lake Isabella. Owlet Number 2 is an orphan looking for a new home. Will the two potential siblings get along?

Number One is the Fierce One, on edge and alert for danger."Look how big and scary I am. Don't mess with me.
I'm the top of the food chain,
and I could kill you if I wanted to."

Number Two is contemplative, taking in his surroundings and wondering what is about to happen."This is definitely a weird day."

"Get off my log."

"What is his problem?"

"I will bite you in the butt."

"Dude, you bore me."

"Are you my brother?"

"What are you guys looking at?
Can't you see we're bonding?"

Owl-watching: Part 1

"They are banding the Great Horned Owl chick at Lake Isabella on Friday night," the e-mail read. "Do you want to come?"

DO I?!

It pays to know people. When Susan e-mailed me about the RAPTOR, Inc. event, I was so psyched. While I have seen and heard my fair share of Great Horned Owls, and even held and flew one in vet school with our Raptor Rehab group, I have never seen a baby up close and personal. Dude, I'm there!

I got so many photos last night, I can make a whole week of posts, so be prepared. For the next few days, you will be tuned to the "All-Owl Channel."

It wasn't hard to find the spot. Even if I didn't know where the owl's nest can was, I would just have had to follow the crowd. There were more huge lenses with cameras attached than one could shake a stick at. The collective value of the optics at that one small gathering could correct the budget deficit.

Here's what all the fuss was about - the back side of an owl in a metal tub high in a sycamore tree.
"Hey! There's something in the bottom of this tub. What could it be?"

HERE is the real reason we are all standing in a park, waiting.One little owlet, right on cue.
Everybody, say "Awww!"

But, we are greedy. We want more. So, up the tree goes our intrepid climber, Jeff.

He reaches into the can and extracts the owlet.

With a metal band in his mouth, he prepares to permanently identify the little owl. Don't drop anything, Jeff! It's a long way down.

C'mon, don't tease us. Show us more

Jeff carefully lowers the owlet to a waiting volunteer.

Here it comes!

"I'm the baby. Gotta love me!"
(click to enlarge. Go on, do it!)

Bonus - A RAPTOR volunteer has been fostering a Great Horned owlet that fell out of a nest about 2 weeks ago, and tonight, they are going to attempt to place that one in the nest with our resident chick. Here's baby number 2.

Tomorrow - they meet.

Teaser

No time for a long post. Tonight, it's all about speed. Trying to beat Susan and Nina to the punch. Their posts will be better, but mine is first.

GOTCHA!