Bad News Today
One of our neighbors found the lifeless body of O-1 at the base of the owl tree this afternoon. We examined it pretty closely (he's a doctor) and found that he had an injury to his beak that had resulted in a lot of bleeding. Not sure if he had some kind of accident while trying to fledge or perhaps some sort of collision. Otherwise, the body seemed to have been normally developed, beautiful actually. I went over to the tree and found O-2 in an adjacent tree, so I can conclude that O-2 has fledged. If there's any good news today, it's that O-2's eye injury appears to be improving. As you can see, one photo shows how the right eye is still partially closed, but it appears from the other photo that the eyeball appears to be fairly normal and perhaps improving.
Sad day.
O-2's right eye appears to be improving...
O-2's right eye is still partially closed however ...
March 5th, 2013 - 10:30
Oh Dad, this just breaks my heart. Intellectually, my mind understands it’s a necessary part of nature, survival of the fittest and all that. But my heart feels a loss. It’s hard when your such a close part of watching such an amazing thing from the beginning. Apparently, i need to toughen up. I’ve always felt such a kinship with animals, as far back as i can remember. Well i just pray the remaining owl grows to adulthood and lives a full life.
Love ya dad,
Kel