From Hancock County Naturlalists
About 1 second after this photo was taken this morning, 2 things were learned:
Owlet learned he could not fly!
I learned Owlets can swim!
Its flight lasted about 5 feet and SPLASH…right in the middle of the river! It just kind of was a blob in the water. I am thinking to myself…OH NO am going to have to go on a rescue mission! After a few seconds it started using its wings to paddle itself through the water. However, instead of going to the opposite bank it came back to where it took off, but a little more wet!
I never gave thought to it before, but it makes sense they would be able to float for a while, being so light for their volume. Even the Fish Owls and Fishing Owls try to avoid getting wet though, so it is not a common occurrence.
Here’s a short Audubon article about an adult being forced to swim after an unsuccessful nest takeover attempt. It has a very short video clip of an adult GHO doing the breast stroke.
Wow that’s so interesting! It was really cool to see him use his wings like that! Now I’m trying to remember if there was a scene in the Guardians of Gahoole books where the owls got soaked… I’m due for a reread but I only have 3 of the books lol
Ugh, I still haven’t gotten around to checking out GoG yet. I feel it’s kinda mandatory for me at this point.
I’m still not done What an Owl Knows yet, and someone else had me download some Discworld I havent gotten to, and I’m only about a 1/4 into Link’s Awakening. So much owl adjacent media to cover! 😵
And Discworld is in your superb TBR because of the city-state of Ankh-Morpork that has an owl crowning the City Arms?
Oooo I didn’t really start it so I didn’t know it had a coat of arms!
I got Guards! Guards!
Hey same here! Kept seeing a bunch of posts about the series and eventually decided to read it lol, I’m liking it a lot so far
The Watch Series is a good point to start. I hope you like it!
I did read the first few pages when I downloaded it, and like they style of it. I am looking forward to getting to it.
Just looked up the coat of arms and it also has my other favorite animal, the hippo! Double win!
Now I’m even more looking forward to it!
Pratchett loves wordplay and makes allusions to things that exist on roundworld. As an owl afficionado you surely caught the Mor(e)pork in the City name. That’s where the owl comes from.
It looks relaxed while swimming or is it rather “omg omg omg” in its head?
It does look a bit calmer than I had pictured. Was expecting more cat-like indignance.
From the story, it’s probably mainly glad it escaped without injury, and is probably already plotting revenge on the falcons/crows that gave it a hard time.
Good to see you in the comments again as well! I had been feeling there had been a few people I hadn’t seen in a bit so I wonder how you all are doing.
I always love your superb posts. Sometimes I’m a lazy commenter tough lol.
Life also likes to throw unexpected random tasks and problems and I’ve had my fair share the last few months…
Well dealing with those things is just part of what makes you superb!
All these fun things I share are always here to brighten up your day when you need them.
And they surely do brighten up my day.
Photo by Russell Savory
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all
- Emily Dickinson
This is the way.
Also, amazing photo!
I was just thinking I should make a point to check in lol. We start negotiations tomorrow with the whole newly unionized hospital thing. So I’ve been busy just avoiding life in the run up to that shenanigans.
Yes, you guys are always free to just pop in to say hello!
I was thinking of you medical professionals the other day. One of my podcasts was discussing nurse/patient ratios, and I know a few of you here are nurses or other medical type people.
All my posts are here to cheer you guys up, so it’s always here when you need it!
Which podcast, if I can ask? I’m interested to hear the conversation around the issue.
And I really should make a point to pop in here and only here to see adorable owls lol. So much of the general internet is just a toxic hellscape, and you help make this community a breath of fresh air.
I just need to learn to control my interneting habits better hahaha
I went back and found it. It seems it wasn’t focused solely on ratios, but it was an interview with Shift Change, who seem to want reform on all aspects of the nursing union.
It Could Happen Here - April 2, 2024
Against the War, For the Union: The Story of Shift Change
I’m glad to have helped make a place for you to all come for a smile. There’s enough people handing the depressing stuff, so I prefer a less crowded field. 😆
Oh interesting. That group seems to be specifically about the national union called National Nurses United. Up here in Mass, we have a really strong state union, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, that is representing my hospital’s nurses at the negotiating table. My MNA seems very transparent in my experience with them.
I’ll definitely give this a listen though. I think the strength and health of unions anywhere affects the strength and health of unions everywhere.
