Harry and Harriet

Exciting backyard news to report!!!

Hootie didn't leave the owl house. He has apparently just been very busy caring for his baby owlets! Callie made the discovery yesterday. She mentioned a couple of times that she had seen Hootie, but he never appeared when anyone else went to investigate. I have to admit, I was dubious. But sure enough, at dusk yesterday, as Callie was practicing handstands in the backyard and I was completing my spray paint project, a little feathered head poked out of the house. But instead of Hootie's little head, it was a much smaller feathered friend. As we kept watch, another little feathered head appeared! Two baby owlets!!! There may be more, but we only saw two heads at once, so that's all we can confirm. About 20 minutes after our discovery, Hootie swooped into the yard delivering what must have been an evening meal to his brood. Madden has dubbed her baby owl, "Harry Potter," and Callie has named her owlet "Harriet the Spy."

The only thing better than a backyard owl is THREE (+?) backyard owls! Hip, Hip, Hooray for Hootie, Harry and Harriet!

Future Politicians

While Callie was busy recovering from the Chocolate Fever, big sister spent the day with Danielle working as a Senate Page and House Messenger! There was lots of gavel-banging, message delivering and even a bit of Webkinz playing at the Senator's desk!

No Swine Flu here...

Only CHOCOLATE FEVER!!!
The entire 1st grade caught Chocolate Fever on Friday.
Everyone was too sick to take their spelling tests.
Luckily, a cure was found almost immediately...
M&M's!!!

Hootie

He (she?) flew the coop. Haven't seen him in 3 days. I am more than a little bummed by his departure.

Workin' at the Car Wash

I have a Hootie obsession!

Having an owl in your backyard is almost as cool as a new puppy! I admit my obsession. Hootie rocks!

LJSY: Sorry Hootie was a no-show for you, and sorry about the Scout drama. And my mini-tantrum.

Happiness is...

a new toy!

Swine Flu, Anyone?

New Bike

A year late, Madden finally got her new gear bike. Happy Day! Thanks, Grammie and Grandpa!

Hootie Update

We have determined that our Hootie is a gray morph Eastern Screech Owl. They are mostly nocturnal (but not always, as is obvious from our photos!). They eat small rodents, amphibians, reptiles and large bugs. Unfortunately, we also learned that they are prey to the larger Horned Owl, which we have also seen in our yard, albeit about a year ago.

Last night, we sat on our porch steps at twilight, and sure enough, Hootie popped his head out of the Owl House, perched on the opening looking around for about 10 minutes and then swooped off to do his (her?) night's hunting! It was very exciting to watch.

Ironically, the Austin American Statesman ran an article yesterday about a family of Screech Owls right here in Northwest Austin. You can check it out here: http://www.statesman.com/search/content/sports/stories/outdoors/04/26/0426owls.html