Saw-whet Owl banding & FFF

We, Kiki, Tuks and I went Saw-whet owl banding tonight. My friend W & R home school their 2 children, and they belong to a homeschooling group. It seems that W is the event and/or extended curriculum coordinator, and she planned this owl banding night. Fortunately for Tuks and I we were also invited. Three owls had been caught tonight. They set up a mist nest in a circle (sort of) around speakers that are broadcasting the mating call of the saw-whets. Since Saw-whets are migratory, many are caught, banded, data collected and then released back into he wild. They also do programs for the general public during the 2 months of banding to educate and also to raise some funds to continue the study. Tuks was pretty good considering it was late, she was the youngest there and sometimes she felt scaredy (her term) of the owls, even though we tell her she is brave, she does not always believe us.LOL


G showing the group the mist net. Very difficult to see.


You can see what Tuks thinks of the owl calls..could her eyes get any bigger?


adult saw-whet, the smallest owl native to our state and eastern USA


G showing us the ear size and location..nearly their whole side of the head is made up of the ear opening...the better to hear with


Up close and personal


Kiki, Tuks and an owl


Me, Tuks and an owl


the owl's release back into the wild

And who did I vote for this time around?? Well I am one of those voters that can go either way with each election. My two strongest issues are pro-life (tend to be Rep minded), but I am also pro-environment (tend to be Demo minded). This election,
after hearing Obama's energy plan, I just couldn't vote any other way..Obama all the way baby!!!!!!! So YEAH for change, and yeah for a step forward in making history.