Snacks has been gone since yesterday morning. He's gone away for hours before but never for this many hours. I'm not positive, but I think Mrs. Snacks is gone too.
This is the latest known photograph of Mr. Snacks. He is always on the roost. I haven't seen him on the roost for over 24 hours now. I haven't seen Mrs. Snacks either, which almost makes me cry, but I rarely see her so she might still be in the box. I liked her. She had flare.
If I'm being totally honest, this is probably for the best because I've been considering turning this into an all owls, all the time, blog.
Likeeeeeee only owls.
Last week while I was making my dinner I cut and shaped an avocado into the shape of an owl. Either that or everything I look at now looks like owls.
Now we can get back to normal and admire the original, adorable balls of fluff.
He was a baby when this photo was taken.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
Also ... GUESS WHAT?
After being missing for 36 hours, Snacks returned. And yesterday I spotted his bride.
All is right with the world again. Let's celebrate with a puzzle.
The Puzzle
I pledge to stop posting stuff about owls now.
Unfortunately I'm lying. I'm so sorry.
I'm learning to not panic when the owls behave abnormally. I trust they will extend the same courtesy to me.
Lee Brewster
They are very stealthy while nesting...sometimes I think my pair have gone until I hear little noises from the box when the owlets have hatched. Most exciting time of the year...don't stop posting about your owls!
Karen
O.K. that makes me feel better because I haven't seen either today. They've been here 2 weeks, I can't imagine they'd up and leave. ~ karen!
Jackie
They were probably just on a short honeymoon before settling down to their grownup owl responsibilities.
Suel
Aww Karen, I'm so glad the Snackers are back! Maybe they went to see the in-laws. I know how you feel about observing life outdoors. I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina, so we have a great variety of birds & other critters to watch. Please do not refrain from letting us see and hear about any of your neighbors. Thank you for all informative, entertaining and just funny-as-all-hell missives from your part of the True North. Here's a pic of my front yard.
Mary Bean
When are you welcoming overnight guests? I’ll do the dishes, no charge.
Suel
You know, I just might, lol. That picture was made just before the start of fall.
Hettie
Wow! That's pretty!
Karen
Suel, for a split second there I thought you were going to say "Please do not refrain from coming to live here. I don't know that I've seen anything more beautiful. ~ karen!
Elizabeth
This happened in my yard as well, only it was hummingbirds and a nest that I watched her weave with lichen and spider web. She seemed to sew it, then stomped. After a few days, she was gone!
I used a ladder to touch the nest, worried! I felt three tiny heads and quickly left the scene.
She showed up with food for the younguns and they fledged within 15 days or so. I could watch much of the activity with binoculars as the nest was on a branch lower than my deck.
Karen
That would be AMAZING! ~ karen!
Susan
Thank you, thank you for every word and photo
Iris Bustamante
Snacks and the Mrs. went on a Honeymoon weekend. Thanks for the Puzzle.
Karen
They went to the beach. :) ~ karen!
CathyR
Don't be sorry, Im living vicariously through you. We had a Great Horned on our chimney hooting with another one in a tree and I was hoping they'd stay and make a home. of course it could have been 2 males squawking "I was here first"! "No I WAS!!!" which puts a whole different spin on things.
My big fear is finding a dead one because far too many old farts around here put poison out for packrats and when an owl eats the rat, well it can wipe out a whole family. I use snap traps which is more humane then toss it over the wall. Some desert animal will cart it off in time.
GWENDEE
Maybe they went on a short honeymoon. Glad they are back.
Theresa G. Chickering
Thank goodness they've returned!
Kathy
So thrilled for the happy couple and their Scientific Observer (you). We've had a Red-shouldered hawk nest in our yard for two years--the first year the young came out of the nest too soon to tragic results (we have a double grave in our front yard), but last year they made it! I don't think they're here this year, but it might be too early to tell.
Karen
That would be an amazing thing to see! ~ karen
Michelle B
You are SO Fun! Keep it coming girlie!
Susan
I love the owls! Keep the updates coming.
Karen
Karen Fear not! Mr snacks perhaps was foraging for delicacies for Mrs Snacks! The owls that nested in my yard last (built their nest in the winter) were so well camouflaged I was never able to get any pictures of them! I just considered owls being wise by nature build their nests in winter to get prime real estate ,so keep those pictures coming.
Yvonne
Glad they’re back!!! Have you read Carl Safina’s book “ Alfie and me: what owls know, what humans believe”? Just finished Jennifer Ackerman’s book, “What an owl knows”….both great books. Btw, she’s great to listen to on podcasts.
Since we’ve moved haven’t been fortunate enough to entice an owl to stay in our yard, but hope never fades!
Karen
I've not read them, I'll take a look, thanks! ~ karen
Deb from Maryland
Oh my - I held my breath while reading to see if they came back. SO glad they did. Hang in there owl guardian, being a care-giver/stalker is an emotional journey it would seem. Loved the puzzle - I'm ok with all owls all the time for awhile. :)
Marcia
Whew! And also, you must not stop posting about owls. (at least until after the owlets are born and we get to see pictures)
Julie
I sent Mr Snacks pic to a friend who is _the_ bird guy and he’s very excited!!!!
Karen
I do not know *the* bird guy is but hopefully he can calm me down when I don't see them for a couple of days. ~ karen!
Carlies Longbottom
My heart sank in disappointment when I read "Snacks is Missing". How wonderful to read it was a false alarm and that the newlyengages are back. You think he brought the bride-to-be home to get approval from Mom and Dad?
Karen
Obviously possible. ~ karen!
Mary W
First it seemed a normal puzzle, then I laughed when I realized why is began to seem abnormal. Then I started saying - she is demented! Finally I appreciated the challenge and fun way to get it done. WOW, certainly woke me up and put a smile on my face! Thanks for the resolved drama to start my day off right.
Karen
Well the last 3 puzzles have just been photos of owls so I had to mix it up a little bit if I was going to do yet another owl puzze. :) ~ karen!
Cara
Hi. Well, I am sure I am not alone in rushing to read what you write about your owls! I'm totally hooked - I wonder where they went. I wonder if you have an Ornithologist who reads your posts who could share some specific owl habits. The two of them probably left to get the basic layette items and other equipment, as needed. I did want to ask, as I'm sure others wonder, how is Philip doing? Are they afraid of him? Cheers.....
Karen
Hi Cara! As it happens I know a professor of Ornithology. He's a gardener at my community garden. :) I've thought about emailing him and asking whether he knows any screech owl aficionados. I need some real information here because my assumptions are giving me anxiety attacks. The owls are aware of Philip and the Mrs. especially keeps her eyes locked on him. ~ karen!