This year has brought with it many exciting challenges that have demanded a lot of our time and attention. Work has brought the opportunity to travel with groups. Our sport has seen us fitting in races that I never thought possible – the most recent being our trip to Colorado. A few weeks ago we adopted a new young female Border Collie to keep our dog, Destin, company. Like Destin, Layla is a 100% rescue dog – found under-nourished, cowering and in need of some TLC wandering around a dusty township. And I have been working on a animated movie script with a great conservation message in it. PPO is a character in the story, but is not the hero. The hero is a young Rhino – and more of that to come.
So what does all this have to do with PPO, Pappa and their family? Is PPO still around? Will she choose to nest on our balcony again, or will she find a new nesting spot?
Firstly, our movements have a lot to do with PPO – at least in the sense of monitoring her and Pappa, and 'checking in' on facebook. Travelling a lot means we're not at home to report all the good stuff – when the owls visit the balcony, how long they stay and which pot plant they are likely to choose for their nest this time around. Judging by the mess on the balcony floor (soil kicked everywhere), I'd say that PPO hasn't yet decided which pot plant container to choose. She's still seeing which one fits better, and will probably decide on the day. By all accounts, PPO plans on nesting again. Usually, she lays at least one egg in August and now we are into September and no egg in sight. Although this is later than usual, it is by no means an indication that she definitely won't lay eggs this season. We've just had a long cold spell which may account for a delay of a week or two. The winter has also been drier than usual so perhaps food availability is tight (until the rains come and insects come out). Perhaps PPO wants a longer break after the second attempt at breeding this past season.
The good news is that whatever she decides to do, we will be around (between our travels) to report the goings on. The bad news is that this year we've decided to give the webcam a break.
Yes, I know. I can hear the sighs, upsets, and tears from here. I appreciate that you may be upset and will miss being able to see PPO, Pappa and their family 24/7. This was not an easy decision to come to, and we spent a lot of time writing out the pros and cons. Ultimately, the decision boils down to not enough time in the day to tweak cameras, amend angles, cut branches, work on sound, check internet settings and fix problems that arise from having a 24/7 webcam operating from our home. We may not be home for a week and if something goes wrong with the webcam then, you will be upset – and likely to lose interest in PPO. At the end of the day, we have to look at what's practical for us (the ones who have to troubleshoot webcam issues at home). We are not deciding never to broadcast PPO again. This is a decision for this season only (should PPO nest), and we will review our decision next time.
When we can, we will keep you updated on all movements in PPO land via facebook and the PPO blog, which will start up when PPO decides to nest again.
Right now, my movie script is finished and I'm ready to pitch my Rhino story. If any PPO fan has a contact at an animation production house or a movie financing house, please let me know. It's near on impossible to pitch a story idea when everyone states “no unsolicitated ideas”.
Well, that's it for now. We acquired a small HD movie camera so when we figure out how to work it, we will also post video clips of PPO, Pappa and the family (hopefully). Warm regards to you all!
Pot Plant Owl Woke up this morning to a big, fat mess of soil on the balcony floor. PPO / Pappa 'dug' a big hole in the soil of last year's nest. Looks like this might be the nest of choice. Both owls came to the balcony before sundown, which is a sign that they are getting a little more serious about possibly laying eggs sometime soon. Fingers crossed! "Taken from FB posting."
Pot Plant Owl As of the 15th September, we have one egg! PPO has laid an egg in the newer nest pot (one used last year). We had quite a storm on Saturday night so hopefully this didn't affect the egg at all. Waiting to see if today or tomorrow brings a second one.
Taken from FB posting.
Guess the family is still having a life apart from us! Which really is fine by me....just seeing what comments I get from Patti and Bunnie!
Dixnora, I can't tell you how excited I am to read about PPO and her new clutch instead of actually having to watch this year. Just look at the video below and think of how much time it would take to see the eggs laid, hatch, feedings, chicks growing and fledging instead of reading the condensed version on Face Book. I have no words to express my gratitude.
Patticake I can tell, you are grieving. You still don't think that poor family should have a personal life. You're having rejection issues. It'll pass. We'll help you.
Pot Plant Owl "Oh dear! Gremlins seem to be at work on facebook. Over a week ago, I posted an entry explaining that the eggs didn't hatch and PPO took it upon herself to abandon them. We took the eggs away and they were infertile. Since then, both owls have been back every evening to the nest and visiting. Pappa seems very keen on trying ago; PPO less certain. Fingers crossed for a second try!"
"Still no chicks. I think it's close to the end of the road for this try. Perhaps PPO will lay again and have more success a second time round. Feeling sad for both PPO and Pappa, but such is Life. If infertility with age / environment / circumstances happens in the Human World, its unrealistic not to expect the same to occur in the Wild."
Quote: dixnora wrote in post #17"Still no chicks. I think it's close to the end of the road for this try. Perhaps PPO will lay again and have more success a second time round. Feeling sad for both PPO and Pappa, but such is Life. If infertility with age / environment / circumstances happens in the Human World, its unrealistic not to expect the same to occur in the Wild."
Taken from FB posting.
Well said, Dix!! Words Worth Repeating!
The human spirit needs places where Nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. ~~ Author Unknown
"We have a Xmas baby....that is, PPO does! She's been sitting on another three eggs for the past month and today we glimpsed a tiny white wing under her fluffed out feathers. Too early to confirm how many there are, but we know at least one is alive and wriggling. Congrats PPO! Will keep you posted with pics as soon as we can get them." We'll just have to wait for updates.
Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:12 pm (Last edited: Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:13 pm)
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Which really is fine by me....just seeing what comments I get from Patti and Bunnie! 
Really??? 
You still don't think that poor family should have a personal life. You're having rejection issues. 
It'll pass. We'll help you. 
Well said, Dix!! Words Worth Repeating! 
We'll just have to wait for updates. 