Good Afternoon Friends!
We just arrived home and I see we have a new post from Tracy!

Thursday, November 24, 2011
Day 53 and it's Thanksgiving in the USA
On this Thanksgiving Day:

Whether you are a North American citizen or not, I believe that the tradition of Thanksgiving is an important one in these challenging times we live in.By learning to be grateful for the myriad of small things you have in your life, you enrich the quality of your life tenfold.

This precious life lesson was brought home to us (literally)with the arrival of nesting owls in our pot plant. Instead of turning a blind eye, or worse still, trying to get rid of the owl visitors because of the 'inconvenience' they may cause us, we were, and still are, grateful that the owls chose our balcony.

And in that gratitude, many windows of opportunities have opened for us. The chance to learn more about these wonderful owls and share our findings, the chance to meet people through the talks we do, the chance to connect with people worldwide through the webcam and the chat site. It has given us the opportunity to work towards protecting the wetland where the owls hunt, and many bird, plant and small mammal species call their home.

So wherever you are today, take a moment to be thankful for all that you are, and everything that you have.

I know I am.
Posted by Pot Plant Owl at 8:00 AM 5 comments
Day 53 and this is Timka



This is Timka on the wall. Our chick is not by its beloved Jasmine bush - it has moved out into the sun to dry those feathers
Posted by Pot Plant Owl at 7:58 AM 1 comments
Day 53 and this is Merlin



24 Nov and Merlin is on Timka's shoe
Posted by Pot Plant Owl at 7:56 AM 0 comments
A typical Highveld storm



This is the view Merlin and Timka have from the balcony pillar - the storm approaching.

1:10 a.m. No owls around

Thanks for that blog TD Love those photos of the little ones (so clear compared to cam scaps) Great to see that storm shot too so I guess there is warning for them something is about to happen and I noticed that with Merlin this morning as she was watching for the rain to come!

Finally get to post scaps, sorry they are late! DONE!

Once again we have high winds(hope this stays on!)

3:59 a.m. No owls at night it seems they are out learning all the things an owl needs to know about life

Wonderful pictures and reports, everyone! Nice to see them still returning.

5:44 am

No one in sight - and if the sun's up in South Africa, it's time for me to say goodnight. Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow will bring.

Friday, November 25, 2011

6:29 a.m. I don't see any owls ....YET!

Hi Judy B

7:04 a.m. No owls

8:42 a.m. No owls

Tracey's Facebook status says the owls have fledged the balcony and will probably not return. There may be a few flybys and the web cam will remain on for the next 48 hours and will them be turned off!

I will miss them all terribly and will miss everyone here too.
It's been sooo much fun...see you everyone..maybe see some of you on Delta 2(what I follow) and occasionally on WR Eagles ...Until next year(I hope) It's become a memory I will cherish always(am leaving cam on until shut down)

Fly safely Merlin and Timka(become the stelth flyers you were meant to be) and hope to see you again PPO and Papa next season Well Done!

Good nite (one more time)

9:00 a.m. The patio looks very vacant all I can hear are the plaintive cries of a Hadedah over and over

Good Morning Alice, Gail,JudyB and all!

Yes.... it is a bittersweet moment to find out that our chicks have fleged and the cam will be shutting down! I'm back home now so I will be keeping close watch on the cam.... recording when I'm not around. I am hoping that Tracy and Allan will sit and talk to us as they did last season, telling us about the chicks, PPO Mom and Pappa before the cam goes black till next season. I hope to be able to record that to add to our memories!

This the the facebook post Alice mentioned:

Pot Plant Owl
Our chicks have fledged! The owl family is no longer on the balcony or in sight. I am sure we will see or hear them tonight and over the next few days. Will be doing a final goodbye and shutting off wecam soon. More details to follow - webcam will remain on for 48 hours in case there are any fly-bys. Bitter sweet moment!

Congratulations Merlin and Timka..Fly free and have a long healthy happy life with lots of food !.. Stay safe and to Mom and Pappa Owl.. looking forward to seeing you next year....


Jean, Alice , JudyB, Lori., Gail, BOP and all who reported and watched this Owl family.... thank you for your dedication, s'caps and reports.... Looking forward to nest year !

Jean.. A big thank you for your videos..

To Tracy and Allen.. We are so grateful to you.. thank you for sharing this beautiful Owl family with us...