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Wednesday, January 9, 2013
9 January and Azizi stands tall
Azizi 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...
Monday, January 7, 2013
7 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.
Our little chick had its turn learning the lesson this morning.
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.
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.
In its enthusiasm (and perhaps, over-confidence), the chick let go, overshot the perch and flapped down to the balcony floor.
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.
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'.
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.
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!
Our little chick had its turn learning the lesson this morning.
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.
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.
In its enthusiasm (and perhaps, over-confidence), the chick let go, overshot the perch and flapped down to the balcony floor.
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.
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'.
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.
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!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
3 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.
Pot Plant Owl stood on the neighbour's rooftop looking much the same, as the rain hammered down. There was no sign of Pappa.
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.
I went out into the garden to look for her but couldn't find her anywhere.
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. What about YOU, Mamma? Where were you?". But I figured I wouldn't get anywhere with her, so left it alone.
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.
Maybe PPO decided to take a break, or hide under covering until the rain stopped.
Or maybe PPO was playing her own game of Hide 'n Seek with me (as she watched me skulking about in the garden trying to find her.
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 Owl stood on the neighbour's rooftop looking much the same, as the rain hammered down. There was no sign of Pappa.
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.
I went out into the garden to look for her but couldn't find her anywhere.
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. What about YOU, Mamma? Where were you?". But I figured I wouldn't get anywhere with her, so left it alone.
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.
Maybe PPO decided to take a break, or hide under covering until the rain stopped.
Or maybe PPO was playing her own game of Hide 'n Seek with me (as she watched me skulking about in the garden trying to find her.
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!'
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
2013 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.
Looks like we're not going any where in a hurry...
Looks like we're not going any where in a hurry...
Monday, December 31, 2012
31 Dec and the last day of the year
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.
I am blessed with a warm, generous, caring husband, whom I love dearly.
I am blessed with a loving family and a great circle of friends.
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.
My pets are all a joy to me and keep me active, and laughing all day.
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.
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.
Be merry. Laugh. Have fun. Embrace. Rejoice. Act a little silly. Dance as if no-one watches you. Celebrate.
From very proud parents, Pot Plant Owl and Pappa, we wish you all a Happy New Year.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
29 December and our family is strong
Our 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.
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.
Here's a picture taken this morning:
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.
Here's a picture taken this morning:
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
And here's our owl family....
18h30 on 26 December - our owl family...
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.
And here's PPO with her little 'Soon-to-be-named' Chick!
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.
And here's PPO with her little 'Soon-to-be-named' Chick!
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