Saturday, November 9, 2013

Owl House Up!

Our pipeline easement along the northern edge of our property is being widened so there has been a crew of tree men here for a week or more.  I watched them clamber up trees to trim overhanging limbs and realized they could put up my owl house for me.  I spoke to one of them during their lunch hour on Wednesday and Reynaldo said he could come on Saturday to do it for me.  Here is a photo essay of the process.

I added wood shavings because the owls don't build a nest.


Selected this sycamore after the first one I realized was too close to neighbors backyard,  Box must 100+ feet from a house.


Reynaldo starts by throwing a weight over a very high limb with a light rope attached.  He uses that then to pull up the climbing rope.






Box is attached to rope to pull up once he's up there.



He straps on his gear but no spikes, not for live trees, he says.




The climb begins.



Pulls up on the rope.




The raises the rope girding the tree.



Up and up.  Over 20 feet high to limb on the right.







He's there.



Up goes the owl box.



He stashed his cordless drill and a knife in there.



His girlfriend and two youngsters watched from their car.


Fastening the box to the trunk.



Hammering in the base before he heads down.



Here is the box this evening high up in the tree.


Awaiting resident barred owls.


Who, who, who cooks for you?




10 comments:

  1. Wow. That's quite a way to climb a tree. Did you send a link to the man who made the owl house to show him that you got it put up (and Matt didn't have to do it :)?

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    1. I did send a link to Ken Hamblin. His website for those interested is www.vermontcrossco.com. I don't think he shows owl houses on there but he does make them.

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  2. That's a great photo story - hope you get some owls! I went looking for some today and came back empty handed.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. We heard them earlier this fall in the woods. Now with the windows closed up can't hear them but I hope they find the abode I've provided for them. May have to go down there one evening and call them to it.

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  3. I'm so glad you found someone to do this for you! That has to be a tricky job, and it's nice that you found someone experienced in climbing trees. I'm amazed how he can climb up like that. I hope the box - and its future residents - give you many years of pleasure.

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  4. Wow - so neat! We don't have any really tall trees here but we do have a resident pair of Great Horned owls in the area. They are gone all summer but return in the fall and they stay to hatch and fledge their owlets. Since the juniper trees are short, the owls use the top of our two story shop to sit on at night. We love listening to them call back and forth.

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  5. Hi Marcia Great series of shots showing the Owl box being erected. it sure is high up that tree. I do hope the Owl comes to nest there. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I hope the new tenants will appreciate that lovely new home and give you some good views!

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  7. Oh....I have wanted one of those for a long time. Never even thought about how to get it up there!
    Hope you have one move in soon.

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  8. Hey, that's great! Hope you get some owls.

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