My goodness, so much excitement!

Image by minds-eye via Flickr

In the wee hours Saturday morning, there were Barred Owls chorusing outside our nestbox. Made me nervous, I don't mind telling you. I just kind of hunkered down in my cage, and reminded myself how safe it is in here.

Then of course I refused to go outside with Mom even after it got nice and warm yesterday. I was right, too: When she came in, she told Dad that while she was meditating she heard a hawk right behind her. By the time she turned around, it was gone--just a big, fat, white down feather floating in the air from where it had been. But still. I think she's probably not going to take me out on my perch any more: I'll have to have my travel cage for safety. From all the racket it made, she's pretty sure it was hunting within feet of the deck where we sit. And twice recently she's read about hawks taking prey very close to humans, and even dogs (she thinks I don't know about that, but I can tell when she's bent out of shape). If they're hungry enough, apparently, Bane's or my parronts' presence won't be any deterrent. Mom & Dad have been meaning to move my old cage out to the deck for the season--maybe they'll do that today.

As for last night, well, I made some of my own excitement. I wouldn't come down off the top of my cage to go in the living room and watch tv with my parronts, but then later I changed my mind and really wanted to sit with Dad.  So I climbed down off my cage and started walking across the floor. Dad decided to issue another invitation, and freaked when he couldn't find me in or on my cage! Mom says I could get stepped on, and Dad worries about the doggie door, so I guess they won't be leaving me out any more, even when they are in the next room. Dang.

Riley,

Éminence grise