The photo above is a rare gem. This particular pair of Snowy owls is in the earliest stages of raising their family of Owlets. At this time most of the eggs have yet to hatch, but one young Owlet, less than 10 days old is being fed by its mother. Snowys do not nest in trees, or on anything other than what is refered to as a "Scrape" on the ground. This is due to the conditions of their natural Arctic habitat, which is largely devoid of nesting sites. This makes their "nests" quite fragile to weather and other problems like preditation. Of course the photo was taken with the camera up to a 3/4" diameter peep hole so as not to disturb the new mother with her offspring.

Here is a blow up of the above photo. The Owlet's head is clearly visible taking food from the mother's mouth, with its back facing us. It almost looks like the mother is eating its head in the picture. However she is handling the Owlet with the utmost of care, and using her sensitive rictle bristles around her bill to feel her way with him. If he bites her tongue, well that is just a risk she is willing to take until he is a little older. ;-)

"What's that sound at the wall....?" In a second she lowers her wing around her Owlet to protect him. She would even stay and fight off the preditor right there at the scrape in the ground. Despite our best efforts to remain completely motionless, this mother Snowy Owl has heard the photographer at the peep hole.

"Herman! go see who's at the door!" ("I'm sorry...This is my baby, and nothing is going to happen to him. Herman had better get rid of whatever that is....") The mother Snowy Owl steadfastly refused to move or allow us another opportunity to take a better picture of her baby, despite our waiting at the peep hole for several minutes in case she moved.

"Nothing to see here folks move along..." Says Herman. Meet Herman, the proud Dad who brings food to his wife, (Henrietta) and new son who will both be remaining 'glued on the spot' for several weeks. This photographer had better not step into this particular aviary, or Herman will let him have it with both talons!

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