Searching For Owls

The baby goats were born a week ago.  

Our two does each produced healthy twins, and all are doing well. 

 Now to keep them safe from predators!

 Living out in the woods, we have a variety of threats. 

 Last year we lost two kids to the coyotes, who lured off the dogs in one direction 

and came in and took two babies in the goat pen.  

This year, we are hearing the low steady 

whoot whoot whoot 

of an owl close by the the towering pine trees next to the goat barn.  

This has the boys all astir.  

What kind of owl is it?  

We have several varieties that habitate here, such as..

The Great Grey Owl:

The Great Horned Owl:

The common Barn Owl:

Today, the boys have the animal encyclopedia out 

studying the habits, calls, and physical features of various large owls. 

This we have made our Nature Journal topic of the week.  

Drawings, labeling, and short reports of various types of owls prepare them 

for the finding of the local silent flyer who could easily pack off a newborn goat kid.

As soon as lunch was over, they are off to the woods for up to three hours of free time.

(After "gearing up" for 20 minutes, that is)

Not really knowing how long they will be out and about, 

what they will encounter, 

and what adventures they will have, 

they are ready for, um...pretty much anything. 

 Hatchets, sheath knives, fire starting kits, possibles bags that contain first aid kits, paracord, flashlight,

and who knows what..food probably, and more knives. 

Waterproof  BOGS are a must in this weather. 

Long underwear, wool shirts over the layers, and hats top off these little woodsmen's outfits.

And, they are off!

I followed them for a bit, telling them to just ignore me while I snapped some pictures.

 

I started back to the lodge to prepare for afternoon tea, 

knowing that they will likely return in a few hours hungry 

and ready to tell of their adventures over a hot cup of tea.

No owl found yet, 

but they did have a great time.

Just another day in the life of our little woodsmen.

UPDATE:
Jim and Ben went outside tonight to try to hear the owl hooting.
 They did hear it, and called back to it.
The owl answered, and they went on "talking" to it until they located it.
 They were so excited!
They came in chattering all about it , but not knowing which owl type it is.
So, I  helped them look up on You Tube various owl calls until we found a match.
 No surprise, it is a great horned owl.
Now they want an owl for a pet.