52 Comments

Thank you for your wonderful rescue and story! We had a similar rescue at the nature center where I work. Our little owlet still had its egg tooth. PSE&G came with their bucket truck and went up about 70' with a newly fashioned nest. It seems GHOs aren't great at making nests!

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You are welcome. Great-horned Owls use the nests of other birds like crows and red-tailed hawks. They also nest in cavities, ledges, and other unusual spots. My friend recently told me that they do not build nests of their own. That seems strange to me, but I guess it is one of the benefits of being the toughest bird in the neighborhood.

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Thanks, Bill! I knew that about the smaller owls, nesting in other birds' abandoned nests or tree cavities. I'm grateful people like you and others are there to help them get through the early days until the babies are old enough to fledge!

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☺️💓

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Awesome post and resuce mission Bill! Great-horned Owls are such impressive birds in so many ways. Thanks to you and your crew for helping this little one reunite with her parents.

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Mar 15·edited Mar 15Liked by Bill Davison

I loved many things about this piece. But I can’t stop thinking about the photo of the parents watching these proceedings. What must they have been thinking that whole time? I’m feeling very proud of my species for acquitting itself so beautifully in this situation. Humans at our best. :)

And I will eagerly await updates on the nestling’s progress this spring!

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Thank you Rebecca. The parents were quite concerned. They kept flying circular flights around the neihborhood as we worked on the new nest. Fortunately, they watched us the whole time and they must have quickly resumed feeding their chick when we left. I really enjoyed reading your essay about the Forest Service and Spotted Owls. I knew the general story around Barred Owls moving in, but I learned a lot about the owls and the Forest Service.

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Thanks, Bill. There’s a lot there, and a lot of competing pressures. I plan to write more on the barred owl/spotted owl conundrum in coming weeks. Hope the nestling is still doing well in your neck of the woods!

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Beautiful rescue story, profound and poetic. Thank you.

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Good work Bill (and to your owl rescue team) on every level! Teaching, appreciating, knowing. You took us to the owlet and onward. That and gratitude for weaving Rilke into the narrative.

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Thank you Odessa. It was quite an adventure. The little owl is getting bigger by the day and we are hopeful she will fledge in a week or so. It was a challenge to bring Rilke into the story, but I was determined. I am working on a bluebird essay now that includes more Rilke poems and a Charles Bukowski poem.

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Wild applause and cheers of appreciation to you and the team! Also, amazing photos. Feels like I’m right there with you all, and the nestling with her not-intimidating black beak. 🦉Interesting that the parents just watch and wait for human help, no snapping black beaks or giant wings from them! Thank you, also for the centering and humbling conclusion. May the owlet fly strong!

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And Bill, I did not know until looking more carefully at your bio, that you are an award-winning photographer. So, of course, the pictures are wonderful! :-)

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Mar 16Liked by Bill Davison

Just the most beautiful rescue tale, Bill. Thank you for your care and documentation and words, and the sharing of this poetry. She will become an empress of silence, thanks in part to you and your friends. What a glorious contribution.

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Thank you Chloe. My friend walks past the tub nest every day and he keeps me updated on the nestlings progress. She seems to be getting bigger by the day and is now peering over the edge of the tub. I am glad you noticed the phrase empress of silence. I was so excited when that came to me.

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I’m so happy to know she’s doing well, and so happy that the empress of silence phrase came to you—I was excited when I read it!

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Mar 16Liked by Bill Davison

Bill, your compassion and eloquence have brought this 70-year-old man to tears with this story. My heartfelt thanks to you and this crew of 'Easy by Nature' men.

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I am glad this story resonated with you Gary. Our crew is eagerly watching the young owl grow and hoping that she fledges soon. I will write part 2 if I can document more of her journey.

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Mar 15Liked by Bill Davison

Thank you Bill , for this wonderful story of rescue and respect. I appreciate that you have ‘gently’ instructed your readers on the proper and important steps that must be taken to have a successful outcome.

It took a community of like minded individuals to rescue one baby owl. Hmm, another very important lesson to be passed forward.

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Thank you, Bill. The rescue was handled masterfully, and owl-lovers say thanks too!

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Mar 15Liked by Bill Davison

What a lovely hopeful story! Thanks for rescuing the owl 🦉. 🥰

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Great rescue story.

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Keep us updated! Thank you for the rescue.

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This is so beautiful. I can’t get over the photographs.

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What an inspiring story. Beautiful photos too.

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Well done! And Thank you. 🤗🤗

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