Look Wut I Got! (Scroller and Photo)

[monstersinthedungeon]

This is Screech.

For the last couple of months we've had a very diligent Tawny Frogmouth pair sitting on their nest close to the house.  We've watched with anticipation and were finally rewarded by seeing a little bundle of fluff popping his head out of the nest.

Then last weekend - DRAMA - I walked outside to see a massive monitor making his way towards the Tawny tree.  Screamed at hubby to come and help, we tried to avert disaster, but the monitor was way too fast for us and scaled the tree.  

Mumma Tawny was very panicked, as the monitor came closer to the nest she flew off into a nearby tree.  She gave me a look of absolute desperation HELP ME! (yes, she did!) but the nest/monitor were way too high for us to do anything.  Hubby tried to throw things at the monitor, but I stopped him as the monitor's life is no less precious than the chicks - I didn't want to see the monitor get toppled out of the tree and hurt or killed.  Plus hubby damn near hit my car with a rock. ;\

I put some eggs around the base of the tree so the monitor could see them, in a vain attempt to lure him away from the chick.  We had to go out briefly, so wished the Tawnys good luck.  Alas, when we came back, the nest was empty :_|

Went about our afternoon chores when suddenly I spotted baby Tawny!  Sitting on the ground next to the tractor.  We dropped everything, made him a makeshift nest and put it up in the tree, then caught him and put him in the nest.  We saw Mumma and Pappa Tawny watching nearby.

Cut down a long story, Bubba kept jumping out of his nest over the next three days and Mumma and Pappa abandoned him, so the decision was made to bring him inside to keep him safe from both the monitors and our dogs. (our four young ones would kill him). 

He will be released as soon as he can fly properly and learn to catch his own bugs (I am catching them for him at the moment).  He's all puffed up and hating me in the photo, that's a good thing, we don't want him imprinting on us. He's feeding really well though (I hate you, I hate you, yum, yum, more please, I still hate you). 

[monstersinthedungeon]

Aw, hi all you Aunty Screechers! What sweeties you are :-x

I'm not going to tell him he has a "following" - might go straight to his head!

Had a heck of a fright last night, must have been around 9pm and I heard a bird SCREAMING - really screaming - of course first thought is Screech (all the poultry are locked up safe and sound at dusk).

Waded my way through the pile of dogs as fast as I could (they had heard the screaming too and were all hyped up), grabbed a torch and, heart in mouth, went hurtling outside and can't find him ANYWHERE. Calling, calling, calling, NO SCREECH.

Finally went back inside, heavy with sorrow, thinking that something had got my boy.  Went out again five minutes later and, whaddagoodboy! He had come and sat on the fencepost next to the house. "What's up Mum?, What's all the shouting about?" I gave him a few mealworms to reward him for being such a good boy and coming when he was called, then he flew off back into the night to continue his adventures.

So never found the poor unfortunate screamer, but thank goodness it wasn't Screech. It made me realise just how attached I've become, tried hard not to, but he's lodged himself right there in my heart.

And, apropos of nothing, the cat's just finished off my caramel slice. Treated myself to one at the supermarket "for Easter". Had it sitting on the desk whilst typing this and the bloody cats chewed it all up X-(

Hope you all have super-duper Easters, remember there's no calories in Easter Eggs, 'cos da bunny's magicked them all away 😛

[monstersinthedungeon]

I just now received Tango's ashes back (I couldn't bear to bury him outside, he lived inside, with us, and slept on our bed every night, so being as OH wouldn't let me taxidermy him (only sorta joking; just didn't want to let him go), I had him cremated).

The most peculiar thing is that I have been searching and searching for this photo on my computer and have been beside myself not being able to find it. Just hunting a photo of something else, and stumbled across the photo of Tango, having a snuggle with his daddy. Taken just a week before he was given his wings:

Unfortunately you can't see his face very clearly because ebay's shrunk the photo, but there was such an incredible look of contentment on his face - he just adored his dad.

The blue blanket is my own baby blanket, very special to me, and Tango was using it at night to keep his hips warm (trying to explain I don't usually have such terrible taste as to have the two covers together).

[cat_mioux]

I can see the look on your beloved Tango's face, his eyes are soft and blissed. :-x

Good boy Screechy for coming when called!

PS Nice pic of hubby too ]:)

[j*oono]

What a beautiful photo.  😞  Your husband must be missing him terribly too.

[sprinklespowerpuff]

Yes, lovely pic, Monsters. Here's wishing you a relaxing Easter and come back next week feeling refreshed.  Hope there's no more scares for you at night. A tap on the nose also for your naughty puddytat - they are the ultimate opportunists I think, ha ha

[freddie*rooster]

 Tango has a look in his eye's like he's  saying "my Dad"  awwwww too cute.

[tasfleur]

[the*scarlet*pimpernel]

Beautiful dog 😞

Could the screaming you heard have been a rabbit? Maybe it was Screeches dinner making all the noise

[tasfleur]

Wonder if it was a Miss Screech trying to get Mr. Screech to pay her some attention ...  :8}

[the_great_she_elephant]

Beautiful dog 😞

Could the screaming you heard have been a rabbit? Maybe it was Screeches dinner making all the noise

That was my thought too. Sad for little Mr bunny, but a great step forward for Screech if that's what it was.