aussiebirder

After two years of nesting failure for our resident Powerful Owl we rejoice to report one juvenile owlet has finally emerged from the nest, however it appeared to be alone, being displayed resting not far from the nest in a casuarina pine tree. It was resting alone in the afternoon sun, occasionally being pestered by a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Click on images to enlarge them.

The next day we took a friend to see them and found several birders who showed us that the owlet had moved to a higher eucalypt tree further away from the nest, being somewhat hidden from view and human attention. Both mother and baby sat together while the father sat in a tree watching/sleeping from some distance away. The mother has the tail remains of this mornings possum dinner hanging from its claws as it sits alongside its youngster. These are two of the shots our friend took with her i-phone. She with several other birders including my wife huddled precariously together on a hillside to capture the best front view of the owlet. The mother was facing the other way on watch. The possum tail can be clearly seen hanging.

Here are some of my captures of the two.

I did capture the male sleeping but it was very difficult as he was mostly obscured by tree branches. Also on the ground near the nest my wife found bird bones and feathers from what appeared to be the remains of a Cockatoo that the male Owl may have made a meal of for the owlet the day before. This may be why the lone Cockatoo was acting strangely as if grieving or in distress toward the owlet as it may be the partner of the deceased Cockatoo, since these birds birds mate for life. See image below.

You can view better images of both parents on my previous posts by clicking HERE if you have not been following my blog. All of my links on this page open in a new tab.

Owls are historically known for their wisdom, their quiet ability to listen and study the movements of their prey and use the minimum amount of energy to stalk it. The possum may pass unwittingly right past the owl and be silently taken as the owls soft feathers give silent flight and its bright yellow/orange retractable talons give sudden death as they pierce the possum’s body. The famous traditional 19th Century nursery rhyme quoted in my book “What Birds Teach Us” with the Barn Owl as this last wise statement in my very wise book:

A wise old owl lived in an oak,
The more he saw, the less he spoke;
The less he spoke, the more he heard,
Why can’t we all be like that bird? 

Seasoned birders know that listening and not looking is the first important skill to acquire to becoming a accomplished birder. Listen -> Look -> Locate.

If you would like to learn more about this very popular book which not only introduced people, especially pre teens, to our clever Australian birds and their interesting behaviours but uses each bird to teach an important life skill. It is a perfect gift for a child under 12 years, but loved by many adults who admire birds due to the beautiful photography and presentation. This book is now in its eleventh year of sale and is one of the most successful self-published books in Australia. Click on the image below to find out more or purchase on my secure online shop or in one of THESE Australian stores.

Many of us have the delusion that if we become suddenly wealthy, win the lottery or receive an inheritance, that we can start a trouble free new life. We may try to seek it in a marriage partner or our children. However, the truth is – if we ourselves do not change there is nothing really new. In fact we only become more selfish, more stressed, more depressed and feel even more fearful and insecure remaining hopeless and disillusioned as one discovers wealth and relationship does not buy true happiness or assurance of life after death. Lets face it we come into the world without anything possessions and we leave the same way, however there is one valuable possession and that is the new life which is everlasting that is on offer.

The only true new life we can ever freely experience is through surrendering to the One who created us our loving Heavenly Father and receiving his son Jesus Christ into our lives to change and renew us within so we may enjoy the righteousness, peace and joy of the life God for intended each us to experience here on earth, but sadly world empowered by the evil Devil blinds us to this truth.

This means turning away from our selfish life and turning to God’s better way, receiving his kind mercy and forgiveness paid for in full by the death and resurrection of Jesus on your behalf so you may live a new life empowered through his indwelling presence his: ‘righteousness, peace and joy through the Holy Spirit.’

“The thief [the Devil] comes only to steal and kill and destroy [your life] ; I [Jesus] have come that they [you] may have [new] life, and have [enjoy] it to the full.” – John 10:10

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” – 1 John 3:8

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Adv. Dip. in Counselling and Family Therapy.

Member of Birdlife Australia

To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

And learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed  by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026