So, those narrative herd reports I was going to whip out last weekend?

Just sent the first one up today. Eight to go.

Boring stuff. Especially the weather data. Only 24 paragraphs of actual text. If anybody wants a sample, pick a number between 1 and 24 for tomorrow.

On the more interesting subject of great-horned owls, they are so far still staying on their nest terrace. Mom was sitting in the shadows on top of a rain gutter, up on the third floor. With grackles scolding her.

Since there is a nest hanging by just a thread in the big blue spruce, and at least three dead grackle chicks on the ground or street, I can see why the black birds are pissed.

I don't really spend much time with the owls, but every visit seems to bring new human encounters. Today it was the police chief.

He also has been worrying about what to do when they decide to leave the "nest." He reports the smaller of the two was perched on the railing this morning, wobbling with its wings outstretched. The larger one has been doing that for three days. He had figured he could always throw a coat over them if they get down on the sidewalk, but had no idea what to do afterwards.

I suggested he instead just call me (or swing by to get me, as the phone is tied up with the internet at least half the time).

He liked that idea.

Thought it was kind of obvious, myself.

I remarked I just hoped the owlets didn't get run over while he comes the two blocks to my house.

"We'll just close the street, then," was his response.

Really.

Wow.

In our short visit (with him parked in the traffic lane, I might mention, but he had his amber lights going) we and the owls were passed by a car, one van, two pickups, two tanker semis and a backhoe. And he's willing to shut that all down when the time comes until I can get there to "rescue" the owls.

Cool.