tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42860553430129119042024-02-20T14:22:29.641-08:00Pot Plant OwlPot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-24903505163767509922013-01-21T07:58:00.000-08:002013-01-21T07:58:59.637-08:00Family togetherNot a good picture but shows the whole family together.<br />
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Pappa is to the left of the satellite dish.<br />
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Azizi is directly below the satellite dish on a smaller roof.<br />
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PPO is on the top roof - on the right hand side.<br />
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Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-53183306288635153512013-01-21T07:51:00.000-08:002013-01-21T07:51:05.902-08:00Azizi's wingsLast night we caught a glimpse of a superb flying effort by Azizi. Our chick flew straight across the road and landed on a complex wall nearby. Half an hour later, Azizi flew back to our complex - this time, landing in the neighbour's garden. For a while after the great flying show, we heard Azizi's loud hissing calls - begging for food from its parents.<br />
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PPO and Pappa obliged with some food deliveries that we spotted in the dark. At one point, we thought we saw Azizi on a rooftop. The owl on the roof looked small and didn't have quite the same silhouette as PPO and Pappa usually do. A second or two passed before the owl flew off the roof, and headed back over the road.<br />
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The neighbour's garden became quiet - no hissing at all. PPO and Pappa weren't around either so we suspect that our gut feel was correct - it was Azizi on the rooftop, and our chick really did fly! <br />
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Our suspicions were confirmed early this morning when we woke to see three owls flying from rooftop to rooftop. The owls were heading in the direction of their usual roosting spot (where Pappa sleeps when PPO is here with us). <br />
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We took a walk around the neighbourhood but couldn't locate the owls. This is wonderful news because it indicates that Azizi is strong enough to fly onto a wall or into a tree to protect itself.<br />
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Well done PPO and Pappa - you raised a wonderful, healthy chick!<br />
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To dear Azizi: we know that you are in excellent hands and have wonderful, caring parents. Make them proud as you find your own way through this special thing that we call Life.<br />
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We will miss you!Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-3829029521577584352013-01-19T20:50:00.000-08:002013-01-19T20:53:01.045-08:0020 Jan and Azizi leaves the balcony!Azizi has taken its 'maiden' flight and left the balcony. Despite heavy downpours over the last 24 hours (which I thought may delay our chick), Azizi took off and left the comfort of the balcony nest.<br />
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Before going to bed last night, Azizi stood on the 'Pilot's wall' - a wall commonly used by chicks for wing-flapping practice. As this wall is still above ground, it is close enough to the balcony for chicks to scramble back up to the nest.<br />
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Azizi must have flown off the Pilot's wall sometime in the wee hours of this morning.<br />
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I woke early this morning to check on our chick and couldn't find it anywhere. After searching the neighbouring gardens, I eventually found the chick on the wall in our garden - tucked away behind a big bush. <br />
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I suspect PPO is also somewhere in the thick of the bush because I've just heard the garden birds kick up a fuss in that area of the garden. PPO is a lot harder to spot because she gets right into the bush and high up, and I don't want to get too near to Azizi.<br />
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So far, so good for Azizi. We will keep a watch in case it decides to move today. And this evening, we'll be ready to assist the chick should it get into any kind of mischief.<br />
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Fingers crossed!Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-72501024042350948392013-01-18T06:19:00.000-08:002013-01-18T06:19:07.936-08:0016 January and we're staying put...It seems Azizi is quite happy with balcony life. <br />
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Our chick has its own personal space to explore to its hearts content. Food is delivered at regular intervals (although I'm sure there are times when Azizi feels that food deliveries could increase). And Azizi has a fabulous view of its surrounds, and soon-to-be hunting ground. With all of this, why would Azizi leave?<br />
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Personally, I am thankful that we have a chick this year prepared to wait a bit, before tumbling off the balcony. Other chicks in the past have taken the leap of faith long before they were as competant as Azizi appears to be, and they have ended up in all sorts of bother. <br />
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We might even find a situation this year of our Azizi being 'forced' to leave by its parents of the chick looks to be settling down too much on the balcony. <br />
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Till then, we enjoy every day!<br />
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Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-51260809005730644342013-01-14T07:33:00.000-08:002013-01-14T07:33:46.664-08:00Azizi on the balcony floor with the parrot's jungle gym. The chick fell off the gym and 'reprimanded' the gym by beak snapping.<br />
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Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-24061462961746047142013-01-14T07:06:00.001-08:002013-01-14T07:06:12.280-08:0014 January and someone put on the brakes...I'm going grey overnight. Last night our dear sweet stinker chick, Azizi, flew straight from the nest to the table on our balcony. It then flew perfectly from the table to the balcony pillar, and back again. It continued flying short bursts until Azizi found itself in the old pot plant nest. A few minutes later, the chick was on the other balcony pillar and out of cam sight. I then had to check frequently that our chick was still on the pillar, and hadn't fallen into the garden, or worse still, the neighbour's driveway.<br />
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Things haven't changed much today. I thought Azizi would be tuckered out from all the activity last night, but I'm proven wrong - yet once again.<br />
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Azizi's antics today began early. First it stood on the lip of the pot preening itself and looking around for something to 'attack'. Then it tried hopping into the nest, fighting with the leaves and branches as it forced its tail feathers into the pot (the chick was head-standing trying to squeeze its way in). The chick soon hopped on the floor and spied the parrot's jungle gym. Azizi tried to land on the gym - unsuccessfully - and 'beak snapped' the parrot's gym - telling the gym off for causing its fall. Finally, our stinker flopped face-down onto the floor of the balcony next to the pot plant nest, and fell asleep.<br />
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I'm exhausted just watching Azizi...Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-16372333021590208362013-01-11T08:46:00.000-08:002013-01-11T08:46:08.518-08:0011 January and there's trouble brewing...Azizi is charging around like there's no tomorrow. <br />
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Last night our chick jumped, hopped, pounced, 'flew' (well, flapped its wings in real likeness) and caused me much anxiety by insisting on standing on the balcony railing in the strong wind.<br />
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Tonight, it's PPO's turn to stand on the balcony railing, as a big storm approaches. I hope our little Azizi doesn't get any ideas to join its mom.<br />
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I guess one can't blame Azizi for exploring. After all, there's lots this chick hasto learn before making its own way out in the 'real' world. And let's face it - who can get upset with this...<br />
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Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-15551675705724194012013-01-09T08:35:00.000-08:002013-01-09T08:35:40.407-08:009 January and Azizi stands tallAzizi is almost as tall as its mom, PPO. Our chick is playful, adventurous and eager to test its wings and fly. Here's a pic of mom and chick...<br />
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Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-75666800237611249382013-01-07T05:18:00.000-08:002013-01-07T05:20:32.200-08:007 January and it's not time to let go...Life has a way of knocking us down a peg or two when we become over-confident in your abilities (especially when we might not have 'earned' the right to be just yet). It happens to the best of us, and there's always a valuable lesson to be learnt.<br />
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Our little chick had its turn learning the lesson this morning. <br />
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The chick had been in the pot plant nest for a while, playing around with whatever it could find to gnaw, bite and pounce on. Eventually the chick became bored and jumped out of the nest onto the wooden perches. This jump it managed with success, but shortly thereafter, our chick learned its lesson.<br />
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The chick opened its wings up and began flapping like there was no tomorrow. But it forgot one important thing: Do not let go of the perch.<br />
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In its enthusiasm (and perhaps, over-confidence), the chick let go, overshot the perch and flapped down to the balcony floor.<br />
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Completely unscatched, but looking mighty surprised and confused by the change in its postion, our chick attempted to get back into the pot plant nest - with no success. PPO visited the chick on the floor of the balcony and the chick soon calmed down - realising that the great trek back up into the tall pot plant nest was not going to happen - not today anyway.<br />
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The rest of the day, our explorer dozed in a corner on the balcony floor. PPO was on the wooden perch, keeping a watchful eye over her chick, and even joined the little one on the floor for a short 'talk'.<br />
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To assist the chick in getting back up to the nest, we pushed a parrot's jungle gym onto the balcony floor. It is half the height of the pot plant container. If the chick can negotiate getting onto the jungle gym, it should have no trouble hopping back up to the wooden perches.<br />
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If it makes it back up tonight, I suspect that our little explorer will be more cautious when flapping its wings - and not let go!<br />
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Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-23251838936423537732013-01-03T07:56:00.000-08:002013-01-03T07:56:33.017-08:003 Jan and where's PPO?In the wee hours of this morning, I awoke to the sound of rain falling hard on the roof tiles. I got up and checked on the chick, and found it huddled under the small plant in the pot - its feathers water-logged and wearing a sorrowful expression on its face.<br />
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Pot Plant Owl stood on the neighbour's rooftop looking much the same, as the rain hammered down. There was no sign of Pappa.<br />
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When I eventually got up this morning, I peered out the window and found our little chick still in the pot. The rain had subsided and there was now a steady, softer rain but no sign of PPO.<br />
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I went out into the garden to look for her but couldn't find her anywhere.<br />
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About an hour later, I went back to check on the chick, and PPO was standing on the wooden perch next to the nest, preening her wet feathers. She looked up at me with a surprised look on her face as if to say "Where did you come from?" I felt like replying to this 'look conversation' we were having with a "A fine question to ask me when I've been here all the time. <i>What about YOU, Mamma? Where were you</i>?". But I figured I wouldn't get anywhere with her, so left it alone.<br />
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If there's one thing that I've learned in five years is that PPO does what she wants to do, when she wants to do it. <br />
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Maybe PPO decided to take a break, or hide under covering until the rain stopped.<br />
Or maybe PPO was playing her own game of <i>Hide 'n Seek </i>with me (as she watched me skulking about in the garden trying to find her.<br />
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Who knows! I've given up trying to work this little lady out. Whoever said that species of the Animal Kingdom don't have minds of their own and aren't capable of rational thought (or irrational thought sometimes), should spend a bit of time with PPO. And all I can say to them is 'Good Luck!'Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-73963988602967232852013-01-01T00:55:00.000-08:002013-01-01T00:55:39.428-08:002013 has begun!We had a wonderful surprise this morning when we woke up. Pappa decided that his usual roosting spot was too noisy (evidently the home owners had a big New Years party) so he moved to our palm tree by our gate.<br />
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Looks like we're not going any where in a hurry...<br />
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Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-76221149458834223682012-12-31T09:16:00.000-08:002012-12-31T09:16:08.741-08:0031 Dec and the last day of the year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SpPreqbtL1RgmQ_9ayCh3wAjFmyQBs2LwUjv1rxLl_KC5fKsWqp-T6_fFx5kEWSG6ftfmeVzR9qMeaiJYcDg5ilVR8nbwmOrgh_dvQUwB9TwMi0OsFymytAn6J_AcpH32fxAEFggnXHG/s1600/31+dec+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SpPreqbtL1RgmQ_9ayCh3wAjFmyQBs2LwUjv1rxLl_KC5fKsWqp-T6_fFx5kEWSG6ftfmeVzR9qMeaiJYcDg5ilVR8nbwmOrgh_dvQUwB9TwMi0OsFymytAn6J_AcpH32fxAEFggnXHG/s320/31+dec+001.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The end of the year, and another New Year about to begin.I look back upon this year with immense gratitude for all the blessings in my life.<br />
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I am blessed with a warm, generous, caring husband, whom I love dearly.<br />
I am blessed with a loving family and a great circle of friends.<br />
My good health is a blessing that I don't take for granted, for I am able to enjoy the outdoors and keep myself fit.<br />
My pets are all a joy to me and keep me active, and laughing all day.<br />
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And I am blessed that our dear Pot Plant Owl nested with us again. The first attempt at breeding may not have been successful, and in this period we lost little Rosie unexpectedly. But each set back is a lesson learned and a chance for us to take stock and reflect on what happened, and perhaps see what can be improved upon.<br />
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2013 - I look forward to greeting you. I am ready for another New Year, and another chance to celebrate this wonderful thing we have in our clutches - this thing called Life.<br />
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Be merry. Laugh. Have fun. Embrace. Rejoice. Act a little silly. Dance as if no-one watches you. Celebrate. <br />
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From very proud parents, Pot Plant Owl and Pappa, we wish you all a Happy New Year.<br />
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Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-88419205917142561492012-12-29T00:45:00.000-08:002012-12-29T00:45:31.700-08:0029 December and our family is strongOur little chick is coming along very well. Each day it appears to grow inches in front of our eyes. Yesterday, I noticed the start of the false ear tufts growing which, at this time, resemble tiny cottonballs stuck onto its head.<br />
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The most noticeable development in a new owl chick appears in the face. From a young age, the chicks take on 'Mini Adult' faces - the sharp, black beak; the dark patches around the eyes; the piercing stare. When the chick opens it wings, you notice how quickly the owl wings are developing too.<br />
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Here's a picture taken this morning:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9qzocQCWUbTtVxFYupWJXUVQ92akNOe1o5DXlWAy-9wcPD25fyACsrdCjArwo1AOJzCG5_Cqa46S2zJejaFWXgEQdwSVt2MBqtJQnzNscxaEsHq0xXSXjBSs0ad7aTEFvcuXYcUedqxi/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9qzocQCWUbTtVxFYupWJXUVQ92akNOe1o5DXlWAy-9wcPD25fyACsrdCjArwo1AOJzCG5_Cqa46S2zJejaFWXgEQdwSVt2MBqtJQnzNscxaEsHq0xXSXjBSs0ad7aTEFvcuXYcUedqxi/s320/002.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-20934840665167114442012-12-26T08:53:00.000-08:002012-12-26T08:53:39.191-08:00And here's our owl family....18h30 on 26 December - our owl family...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7g_2IFGWteWSMreg_wKrQiNRpW8rd8AWWxRzo-JiiKnHxfQfXCmK6YtAPapD0XQEuPp99JFxuu15wq5KX-WuPF90hRM8KHnt8hTw-lkrfcvHCHkhdr3JDar9cYABmlDqZn7yfCHr7x31u/s1600/26+dec+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7g_2IFGWteWSMreg_wKrQiNRpW8rd8AWWxRzo-JiiKnHxfQfXCmK6YtAPapD0XQEuPp99JFxuu15wq5KX-WuPF90hRM8KHnt8hTw-lkrfcvHCHkhdr3JDar9cYABmlDqZn7yfCHr7x31u/s320/26+dec+009.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Not a good picture of Pappa but it does show you that he is indeed alive and well. This pic was taken with my small camera through the office window.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqlCmrTU5mETW8pa3gvdd6ykSEbKkZQDFAo8fijhuGO34ZoNKgqOgmhFleHq4SJybQSCNwMC0QyorUiZ8Nc9XGU2A6mSUxtt5xidIf1vDJ7MNYxNKPhpO1vMeXnsLk5EQtBfC25B-XoLQ/s1600/26+dec+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqlCmrTU5mETW8pa3gvdd6ykSEbKkZQDFAo8fijhuGO34ZoNKgqOgmhFleHq4SJybQSCNwMC0QyorUiZ8Nc9XGU2A6mSUxtt5xidIf1vDJ7MNYxNKPhpO1vMeXnsLk5EQtBfC25B-XoLQ/s320/26+dec+010.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And here's PPO with her little 'Soon-to-be-named' Chick!Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-73128285993038656202012-12-26T01:10:00.000-08:002012-12-26T01:12:12.062-08:0026 Dec and our chick is buriedLast year, after much debate and thought about it, we removed an unviable egg from the nest after it became clear that it was not going to hatch. I'll never forget the feeling of calm that washed over the balcony as I stepped back inside the house with the egg in my hand. Within minutes, PPO appeared more relaxed and threw her energy and attention into preening her chicks.<br />
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The same thing happened this morning. We looked at the frail body of the dead chick in the nest, and decided to bury it for PPO. We switched the cam off and I headed out onto the balcony - without an umbrella. Carefully, I crept to the nest - all the while talking softly to PPO. PPO kept a beady eye on me, while pushing her chick under her for protection.<br />
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I crouched down right next to the nest and slowly reached out and grabbed the dead chick. PPO froze in place and kept watching me. Slowly, I backed away and closed the balcony door.<br />
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We buried the chick in our 'bird' garden - a small section of the garden fenced off to allow birds an area to eat and bath in peace. Our dog, Destin, cannot access the area, so it is a perfect spot for our chick to be buried.<br />
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We are saddened and shocked by the sudden passing of the chick. Unlike Teeny, this chick did not deteriorate slowly in front of our eyes. The chick was up and about one minute, and lying still the next. Without going into detail, the chick had a big wound which may, or may not, have been the cause of its death. I'm not sure if the chick had anything internally wrong with it.<br />
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It's difficult to lose a chick after what this breeding season has already brought. Can you imagine what it must feel like for our sweet PPO? And for Pappa? <br />
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I can only send out all my love and prayers to the remaining chick, and hope that not survives, but thrives.<br />
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RIP little one!Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-68340656251548946832012-12-26T00:54:00.004-08:002012-12-26T00:54:54.789-08:0025 Dec and this Christmas is bitter sweet...We lost one of the chicks.<br />
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This is the first time in five years that we've had a fatality in the nest. For a number of hours, we all noticed that the little chick didn't move despite PPO's best efforts to coax the chick to eat. <br />
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I took the liberty of copying Bob Pruner's report from Facebook about what he saw, as we were sleeping at the time:<br />
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<i>"I am so sorry to see that the youngest PPO owlet suddenly took ill. Here is what I saw. It seemed fine yesterday. Then this morning it appeared to be sleeping in the back corner but did not get up all day even when PPO tried to feed it. She fretted over it between feeding the other owlet but finally at about 12:30am Wednesday(nest time) appeared to decide that it would no longer respond and carried its inert body to the front of the nest where we could see that it was no longer alive. She has moved it a couple of more times as I write this and may remove it from the nest by morning. My condolences to all the chatters who love this little owl and especially to Tracy and Allan. Rest in peace little Rosie (as some of us had taken to calling her/him) PPO appears to be taking it in stride and concentrating on caring for the remaining owlet. What a trooper!"</i><br />
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Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-38333742504749388412012-12-24T08:14:00.000-08:002012-12-24T08:14:57.943-08:0024 Dec and Happy HolidaysMerry Christmas!<br />
Happy Hanukkah!<br />
Happy Holidays!<br />
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From all of us in Jozi, South Africa.<br />
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For those travelling to visit loved ones, we wish you safe travels.<br />
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Come back and visit us soon!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt_GHcU4FJvPbj60zkw7PiSuT5SjAhgDcsnooYWIL0d6RhLS8JLxRcKcWo3chFUyYBL7h3XwF0yQFxapdQPLDFYidyaSn2ePatICDXQWdUExz5YNmydhhjjCusuPEA_Fs_acQxolPWYLy/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt_GHcU4FJvPbj60zkw7PiSuT5SjAhgDcsnooYWIL0d6RhLS8JLxRcKcWo3chFUyYBL7h3XwF0yQFxapdQPLDFYidyaSn2ePatICDXQWdUExz5YNmydhhjjCusuPEA_Fs_acQxolPWYLy/s320/016.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-19134342048957378442012-12-21T05:03:00.000-08:002012-12-21T05:03:25.743-08:0021 December and the end of the world as we know itI like to think that today, the 21st December, marks the end of the world as we know it. Now before devout religious fanatics or athiests alike get up in arms with my statement, hear me out.<br />
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I love new beginnings. A New Year where all ones past woes are left behind as one starts afresh. I love birthdays that mark another milestone in ones life. I love the dawn - the beginning of a new day unlike any other. I love the start of a new life form - a seed that grows into a magnificent tree, and a small egg that reveals a tiny chick.<br />
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And I love the idea, however far-fetched it may sound to others, that a New Dawn is beginning for us here on Earth. Right here. Right now.<br />
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We have the chance to start afresh - to look at the beauty that is all around us and appreciate it. All of you who have followed PPO and her family (for months or years) are already there. You love and appreciate Nature. You respect and admire the trials and tribulations that our owl family has gone through to be with us again today. <br />
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I'd like to believe, no, I need to believe, that others, who have not taken the time to notice the natural world around them, are waking up for the first time and starting to 'get' this thing called Life. <br />
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Life isn't about fancy cars, or lots of money, or designer shoes. Yes, those items can make living more comfortable, but they are not the real deal.<br />
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The real deal is right in front of us all. In my garden, it is in this pot plant nest where two little owl chicks are finding their feet (and soon their wings). <br />
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I like to think that today marks a new beginnning - for us all.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKrEPeQEXYpBA2_DFDEzHxU2QjD5pTclUOQvHA-gmu9Bvom3ZorZrhOpkrotJKVG21fIY33nnyCPkD1_tADeI-A0-oOWpUkdURcRBDgTYq-2_05w640XvOSzP-XRBjedHshdEee0wo6wJ/s1600/21+dec.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKrEPeQEXYpBA2_DFDEzHxU2QjD5pTclUOQvHA-gmu9Bvom3ZorZrhOpkrotJKVG21fIY33nnyCPkD1_tADeI-A0-oOWpUkdURcRBDgTYq-2_05w640XvOSzP-XRBjedHshdEee0wo6wJ/s320/21+dec.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-5217293352948010652012-12-19T06:50:00.000-08:002012-12-19T06:50:08.700-08:0019 Dec and eyes try to keep open<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0N5Id-ICWmJJWauxquDuQfjcsbWsSgsFY31MMaOmVbPHKitzsuu7yWTgjYcGrTuljQGcbSGdZlmwomyMGtZJTZWDmhvmxZaYT9_KM1HR2gUnIsM5aF8cpnXIs0S3i-b5NWdVVT6t70-D/s1600/19+Dec+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0N5Id-ICWmJJWauxquDuQfjcsbWsSgsFY31MMaOmVbPHKitzsuu7yWTgjYcGrTuljQGcbSGdZlmwomyMGtZJTZWDmhvmxZaYT9_KM1HR2gUnIsM5aF8cpnXIs0S3i-b5NWdVVT6t70-D/s320/19+Dec+027.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-10188670805193940512012-12-19T06:46:00.001-08:002012-12-19T06:46:19.056-08:0019 Dec and sound is on....Stop for a minute and think what your life would be like without sound. Perhaps you already know what this feels like. Perhaps you have loved ones who can't hear. Perhaps your hearing is failing you.<br />
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I know that sometimes I take the act of listening to sounds for granted. And sometimes I even get irritated by a particular sound. But how would I feel if I didn't have the luxury of listening to a gentle, soothing sound? Or even the luxury of experiencing an annoying sound?<br />
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The sound for the webcam was fixed today and it's all systems go. I'm again reminded about the importance of appreciating every sense that we are blessed with - for however long. It gives me true happiness to read messages from folks around the world excited about hearing PPO and her family again - something that I take for granted.<br />
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There will be a few people tonight eagerly awaiting Pappa's robust hooting, or the sweet hissing sound from the chicks. I look forward to 'hearing' all the reports soon.<br />
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Till then, let me pause for a minute and say THANK YOU for the gremlins that crept into the old microphone and forced a momentary sound break. It's allowed me to appreciate the act of hearing again, and I am all the better for it.<br />
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Visit www.africam.com, close your eyes and really listen...Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-67164187104014911812012-12-19T06:28:00.000-08:002012-12-19T06:28:28.443-08:00Chick pic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWjh25Zd6A8gQczyVdMwM0OAtpuHtWdkxPQ4eSA73Tx1bp_ejSr15zqzi6HBDKW5-6wcqIcTYuvcSVCChj6meLQEXUYXh1rakSZQUYUSfhici8GUKNcwd_rilrDaVJPmE6taANBui5bJm/s1600/19+Dec+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWjh25Zd6A8gQczyVdMwM0OAtpuHtWdkxPQ4eSA73Tx1bp_ejSr15zqzi6HBDKW5-6wcqIcTYuvcSVCChj6meLQEXUYXh1rakSZQUYUSfhici8GUKNcwd_rilrDaVJPmE6taANBui5bJm/s320/19+Dec+007.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-64117642309382760492012-12-17T00:20:00.000-08:002012-12-17T00:20:17.653-08:0015 Dec and aren't we adorable!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzESorgY9g-nMD8He9P4ru33jklI2990UsOUlcfIHGBAfH1WzumrrKI2w0LPby7-CpXKhoc79pPtnBhIWbAa15Q2CqB9wj-k6jxEWMN7t4OB9ER3tPyUqejdsVJkJ92c6Pch7Vdg8oPaxP/s1600/16+dec+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzESorgY9g-nMD8He9P4ru33jklI2990UsOUlcfIHGBAfH1WzumrrKI2w0LPby7-CpXKhoc79pPtnBhIWbAa15Q2CqB9wj-k6jxEWMN7t4OB9ER3tPyUqejdsVJkJ92c6Pch7Vdg8oPaxP/s320/16+dec+022.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-85844677702146786482012-12-17T00:16:00.000-08:002012-12-17T00:16:43.805-08:00PPO's nestWhen people are chatting on the Africam chat site while they are watching the live webcam, I often get asked where the pot plant is. Here's a picture that explains PPO's chosen nesting spot better.<br />
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PPO is in a pot plant that is in the right hand corner of our balcony - one storey up. Her original pot plant nest is in the far left hand corner. The angled facebrick wall that you see to the bottom left of the pictures is the border of our house. Directly behind it is another garden with a gate resting against the wall - that is the neighbour's house. <br />
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For those who watched the webcam last year, you will remember when a chick got stuck between electric fencing - that is where you can see the house at the back of the picture. <br />
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You can see a children's house with a bright yellow roof - that is Yapz's garden. The tree on the far right of the picture marks the saved wetland.<br />
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As you can see, we put perches up around the pot plant nest to allow Pappa to deliver the food to his family. This he does frequently throughout the night and early morning. In another few days, you will also see PPO standing on one of these perches because there will not be enough space in the pot plant for her and her growing chicks.<br />
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You can also see soil lying on the balcony floor - that is not us being messy! That is PPO and / or Pappa doing a little bit of 'house cleaning' themselves.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKu-jU3WKb5AwVNMHoUCNeGU1UfD7vcYXA5QJK-9NVYMMylHB9jz8lCp7ekg_31C9TJlgGWXrIJllR5U9iZNZSk4Lb705T-hHOXfWYVvTOjMfjG4YIvY-dl9OGL_JWXVC-FtEKuC_whLX/s1600/16+dec+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKu-jU3WKb5AwVNMHoUCNeGU1UfD7vcYXA5QJK-9NVYMMylHB9jz8lCp7ekg_31C9TJlgGWXrIJllR5U9iZNZSk4Lb705T-hHOXfWYVvTOjMfjG4YIvY-dl9OGL_JWXVC-FtEKuC_whLX/s320/16+dec+018.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-82222572515726989042012-12-17T00:06:00.000-08:002012-12-17T00:06:18.518-08:0014 Dec and it's the simple pleasuresIt's always the simple pleasures in life - the ice cream or icy cold drink on a hot summer's day, the sound of the waves lapping along the shore as you walk barefoot in the sand, and the sound of children laughing.<br />
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And for me, there is waking up to this....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKUEAU6bFs5ki4qNFdL0K_H6BzmoMCZ6kgamzubF6CYGFjsmEgRyjoBl20fFKVc3Ip5U5-RmmauAiqQpVElJh7LZICRlbMn6IQgnHqSjie5xlS1r40b_PhMrlkMYd8BGHdnLI_4cMgLLr/s1600/16+dec+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKUEAU6bFs5ki4qNFdL0K_H6BzmoMCZ6kgamzubF6CYGFjsmEgRyjoBl20fFKVc3Ip5U5-RmmauAiqQpVElJh7LZICRlbMn6IQgnHqSjie5xlS1r40b_PhMrlkMYd8BGHdnLI_4cMgLLr/s320/16+dec+016.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4286055343012911904.post-54805772178159161102012-12-13T04:39:00.000-08:002012-12-13T04:39:03.091-08:0012 DEc - pic of the chicks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZgBL3xofLipFtToib9j7iI5ymjbOF76xbUBfNvLoHiV6c56OPMu58REIswrdAgLL2dMWcS80_v3XpbRgowoGgWmFQHjxExMorYun9qv8Hb5LUpZITl99ysqF6x7PXoFaDHQoMvJOvFVW/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZgBL3xofLipFtToib9j7iI5ymjbOF76xbUBfNvLoHiV6c56OPMu58REIswrdAgLL2dMWcS80_v3XpbRgowoGgWmFQHjxExMorYun9qv8Hb5LUpZITl99ysqF6x7PXoFaDHQoMvJOvFVW/s320/002.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Pot Plant Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678639843678206460noreply@blogger.com7