No Takers for the Owl House

In the Fall of 2013 I purchased an owl nesting box. [Read about that here.]

In November I had someone put it up in the sycamore tree that borders our driveway. [Read about that here.] 

I thought it was well sited for owls, but I've had no occupants.

It sits vacant.  Not even evidence of a squirrel taken up residence.

No chance it can be moved.  It will be there until it falls apart and tumbles to the ground.

Just an Assortment

With the one warm day we had last week, the frogs appeared in the pond and left this mass of eggs.

Have been hearing owls' call but no sign of inhabitants of the owl house high up in this sycamore tree.

Down at the bottom of our driveway the wetlands to the right still has not put on any spring coloring.

The small creek in the glen has one spot of green showing.

And the bluebirds continue to stake claim to this box.  There are more than two so I don't know how that will work out.

Dawn Chorale

I was awakened this morning before 6 o'clock by the "who who" of the owls in the neighborhood.  What a pleasant sound.  I believe they were barred owls but they didn't quite finish the "who cooks for you?" as they called through the woods.

First one had a solo for awhile then it was joined by another.  As I lay in bed listening I realized they were moving through the woods first both on the south side, likely in the glen, then one on the north side and one on the south.  They did get fainter after a bit as they moved east through the woods.  Hope they found the owl house I had installed for them.  This is nesting time so I got it up just in time.

Once the sun's rays spilled over the horizon, the owls were quiet.  Maybe another morning I'll hear that lovely chorale again.

Sunday Walk in the Woods

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and daughter, Sarah proposed a walk in the woods.  It was sweatshirt temperature out there so we donned them and our hats and set off.  Here are some of the spring colors we spied.

Blooming violets first caught our eyes.

Then these beauties.

Then there were these random clumps of daffodils in the pipeline easement.   Where did they escape from?

The skunk cabbage is such a green green.

This skunk cabbage got stuck trying to unfurl its leaves.

Fiddleheads starting to unroll.

Later at supper time I glanced up and out the window and saw this staring back at me.

It was early for this owl to be out and about.  Isn't it lovely though?