Nature Done Wright

     Mrs. Ace update: Screech owl and eggs seem to be doing fine. Mrs. Ace has settled into her routine, incubating the eggs almost full-time, occasionally to calling to her mate or shifting her position.

   Egg count is three and presumably will remain so.

   And I am amazed what a difference the screech-cam has made to my understanding of what is transpiring inside the box.

   This is the third year I have had screech owls in the spring just beyond my backyard.

     I would occasionally see one sunning itself in the afternoon, or flying at dusk, but the image here represents my understanding of what was going on in the nesting box.

   In short, I did not have a clue. I did not know whether an owl had taken up full-time residence, or whether it was in the box at any given time  — let alone that the owl was a female sitting on three eggs.

  What does it matter? Maybe not at all.

  But beyond allowing me to understand what is going on in that little wooden box and allowing me to share what I see with you, the camera serves as a "security" camera.

  I do monitor the box, and because I know a nesting screech owl is inside, I have tried provide her with more protection.

   And if and when owlets are hatched early next month, I will be able to keep a watchful eye on them and even know when they leave the nesting box. And protect them as best I can.

  These miniature cams provide an amazing non-intrusive view of a world unknown to most people.