Bob Stevens:
Strickland explains Saw Whet Banding
Bob Stevens:
Hiking to the mist nets
Bob Stevens:
Strickland describes the banding process
Bob Stevens:
Strickland describes the process of determing age and gender
Bob Stevens:
Strickland and Paul weigh the saw whet in the carrying bag as Beth records the data
Bob Stevens:
Kyle watches intently as Strickland removes the saw whet from the banding bag
Bob Stevens:
Paul and Strickland determine gender based on a table of weight and wing cord
Bob Stevens:
Strickland shows how to determine new feathers which establish age
Bob Stevens:
Strickland shows how docile the captured birds are
Bob Stevens:
Beth explains how porphyrin in owl's feathers helps in the age determination
Bob Stevens:
Everyone wants a picture of Mary and the saw whet owl
Bob Stevens:
Strickland describes unique aspects of the Saw Whet Owls
Bob Stevens:
Everyone listens for a saw whet call in the woods
Bob Stevens:
Strickland is relieved that we banded at least one saw whet for the demonstration
Bob Stevens:
Madeline holds her first owl
Bob Stevens:
Madeline and her owl pose for the cameras
Bob Stevens:
Strickland shows how soft the owl's feathers are
Bob Stevens:
Madeline feels more comfortable with the saw whet
Bob Stevens:
Madeline gets ready to release the owl
Bob Stevens:
The owl is free to go
Bob Stevens:
But she is warm and safe so she needs to think about it
Bob Stevens:
And cuddle up against the cold evening
Bob Stevens:
And just wait until she is good and ready to leave
Bob Stevens:
And come up with a good reason to go out into the cold cruel world
Bob Stevens:
So she decides to stay
Bob Stevens:
And go home with Madeline
Bob Stevens:
On the other hand maybe she will leave
Bob Stevens:
So she ruffles her feathers
Bob Stevens:
And changes her mind
Bob Stevens:
It is a woman's right to change her mind
