Posted by Paul on May 05, 2002 at 21:59:17:
Screech owls unlimited convened at MHOC for the sunset show. The owls, appearing nightly at dusk, were a little put out by the crowd from TAS, but nevertheless, "buzzed" us a few times to remind us whose Garden it really is. The gang didn't see all six screechies because our affections were turned by the appearance of a telescope and a very clear few of the "dance of the planets." Mars, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury were "scoped" just at dusk. The owl parent whinnied in the background as we took turns seeing the splendor of the "triangle" of planets. A couple of night-hawks dipped in to see what was going on, mother woodpecker trilled at us to "keep it down" as she peeked out of her nesting box and mother mockingbird, a failure at nest #1, #2 is now building a third. She is not very good. Its about four feet off the ground, in a small oak sapling, little cover, not very imaginative. The fish ravens will have this one too in short order. Brown thrashers were quite active but not singing much this year at all. Odd. By 8:45 we closed up shop and left the Garden to the world of night. Peace to the Garden, all who dwell within, and all who visit.