Friday, December 10, 2010

Thursday 9 December

It's good to be back in sunny South Africa after a short break in Europe visiting family. The weather there was perfect for a visiting Southern Hemispherian - crystal clear winter days, lots of snow and all the acitivty that comes with the cold weather. But as nice as it was to experience all of this, I'm pleased to be back home.

While I was away, Allan had a fabulous sighting of all three chicks playing / hunting in the garden. He also woke up early one morning to find two chicks playing in their old pot plant nest on the balcony. They flew away shortly after, leaving behind a couple of tell-tale signs of their visit - two poops down the side of the now container. How very thoughtful of them!

Last night, I scoured the area and didn't see or hear our owl family. I was sad, but also relieved that Allan had seen the chicks a few nights ago, so they were all well.

Tonight I've been lucky. I've just seen see two chicks flying around our complex. I'm sure one of them was Teeny - flying low with its legs dangling down to the ground. I think it was Teeny flying because the flight still looks a little 'rough around the edges' although the chick managed the height and distance of the flight well enough. The other chick followed when the first one (Teeny?) flew, and soon they were out of sight.

It's not a thrilling sighting with lots of action and engaging antics, but it is comforting to see how well the chicks are doing. No sight of Pappa or Pot Plant Owl. I believe Indie is with Pappa - travelling much further afield in search of a feast of adventures.

11 comments:

  1. Welcome home Tracy! I'm glad you had an enjoyable break and are now back to warmer weather. Thank you for the update on the Owl Family. So nice that the chicks left a few souvenirs for you, as proof of their visit to the Pot Plant. How wonderful to hear of Teeny flying around the complex!

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  2. BTW, that's me, LandofAnne above:-) I miss the whooing and hissing. I watch Fleur's videos often. Thank goodness she took the time to record them and share them with us.

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  3. It's *so* nice to see an update! :D I'm glad to read the family seems to be doing well. I'm thinking about them all the time. :)

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  4. Welcome home Tracey and thanks for the update! It's good to know that the family is still around and Teeny is doing well.

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  5. Wahay, Fantastic news. Tracy is home, Allan has seen the owls during Tracy's holiday and now Tracy has also seen them and they are doing great.

    Welcome Home Tracy and we look forward to hearing more about your holiday to see family as well as hopefully more news of PPO, Pappa, Jeli, Indie and Teeny.

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  6. Welcome home Tracy. You will never know how wonderful it made me feel when I checked the blog and saw a new update. I did not know you had left on a holiday trip. I was beginning to think that maybe you were ill. Praise be you weren't ill. Oh so good to know the babies still know where "home" is. They feel comfort in visiting the old homestead and even attending to bathroom matters. Bet they were surprised at the spring cleaning that had been done to their home. LOL. Please post some pics and give us more details of your trip. Love to you both. Patricia (PattiinVA)

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  7. Helloooo Tracy!!!! :-)
    It is so wonderful to know that our beautiful Owls are doing so well and that Teeny is flying around with confidence!! :-)
    We have all missed our up-dates of this wonderful family and are waiting for some great pics of them.
    Hope you had a great time in Europe? Can I ask what part of Europe you visited? :-)

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  8. It's lovely to have you back, Tracy. You've been missed; even as we migrate to other sites, people are moaning a little about missing PPO and her wonderful blogs. I hope you had a good time in Europe, which has really been hit with winter already. I'm glad to hear such interesting news of the babies. Next time they come and mess up the pot or the deck, give them a scrubbing brush and show them how to use it.
    Take care.
    Helen (CB)

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  9. Tracy, it was nice to hear from you again! I am so pleased that the owls are progressing along. I really appreciate your updates and am glad you are home safe and sound. Take care. Lori in Georgia

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  10. I am so very glad that when I open the site there are new comments from you, Tracy. After following the owl family for so long it is hard Not to want to hear the latest. Thank you

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  11. Thank you Tracy for your update! Like many others, I miss watching these little ones and reading your delightful writing about them. Have a wonderful festive season; we're going to South Africa next year for a few months, and I can hardly wait! I'll continue to check on updates about the family. Best to you and Allan. Donna in New York

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