Close Encounters of the Bird Kind

Yesterday, Joe and I were hanging out by the front porch, when we were startled by what sounded like a large object falling into a tree just overhead. It turned out to be a rather clumsy landing by a barred owl, presumably one of the same owls we hear calling all summer long. It had been a noisy summer afternoon, full of birds singing and chickens fussing about, but it suddenly became very still and quiet. I looked for the chickens and saw they were all hiding out under their house, virtually motionless. With the binoculars, we were able to get a close up view of the owl, who was staring right at us. He hung out for about 10 minutes and then retreated back into the woods, much quieter than he made his entrance. All activity resumed and the chickens came back out into the open. It was a brief sighting, but very cool.

Speaking of the chickens, by locking them into the pen for a couple of days, we determined they have just decided not to lay eggs anymore. Well, not more than one or two a day if at all. Due to the large amount of feathers laying everywhere, I'm assuming they're going through a molt and will hopefully pick back up with the egg laying soon. Meanwhile, we're on strict egg rationing.