My neighbor, Fara, has a way with animals. So much so that we call her the Animal Whisperer.  All creatures love her and she loves them! You could also call her a People Whisperer for the same reason. You can usually find her outside practicing her love craft, bringing everyone together, making sure all the animals and people know how important they are.  I think of her as Guardian of the Neighborhood.  

 So of course Rocksie  knew what she was doing when she picked Fara’s home for her nest. During their initial meeting when Rocksie startled Fara on the side of her house, she immediately told her, “Don’t worry, you are safe here!” “Confirmation this is the right house!” Rocksie thought.  “This is the perfect place for my babies!” And so Rocksie took up residence in one of Fara’s hanging baskets lined with coconut fiber.

The neighborhood was  abuzz with the news especially since an owl hasn’t been seen here for several years. We all learned she is a screech owl which explains her tiny size. One neighbor, Gina,  decided her name should be Rocksie as we all live on Rockwell Way! Rocksie was quite pleased with her new name and allowed a celebratory picture.   

Fara and Rocksie continued to deepen their relationship. Each day at nightfall Fara would tell Rocksie, “Time to hunt!” Rocksie  would pop up her head up, hop to the rim of the basket and then take flight. I think she appreciated Fara’s daily reminders. 

Fara’s husband Charlie watched over her as well. One day when the wind was very strong taking Rocksie for quite a swinging ride. Charlie wasn’t going to allow that and tied down the hanging planter! Okay, now the eggs and Mama were  safe! 

There was much excitement when the three eggs began to hatch. The tiny owlets looked  like little snowballs! Gina promptly named them Rock, Well and Way. 

Charlie was concerned a baby might fall from the nest so he made plans to put cushions on the ground below. But the next day before he could do so one did fall out! 

He told Rocksie he would put the baby back with all the proper precautions. She was quite agreeable to the whole plan especially since he explained what he was doing each step of the way! We are still not sure if it was Rock, Well or Way that fell but whoever it was, baby is safe now under Mama’s wing! 

I had a chance to visit Rocksie yesterday. Fara made sure to let her know “Aunt Lee” was coming. Rocksie really is so sweet!  I have been wondering what the spiritual reason is for her arrival and there are so many! But one message keeps coming so clearly.  Rocksie  is helping us remember what is really important in life.

 

What a beautiful gift! Thank you Rocksie for coming to Rockwell Way!

UPDATES

Here are some updates since this article was first published.

Grandfather Charlie as we now call him has made sure the babies are safe as they grow. Some days he has spent hours outside keeping a lookout for anyone falling! He has made sure they have a very soft surface to land on and has even put a baby fence around the pool. He has had to fight off crows and other birds as he gets the babies safely back to the nest!

Rocksie has taken it all in stride and totally trusts Charlie. Mama, babies and Fara and Charlie have become one combined human/owl family!

The third egg has never hatched and is not in the nest so we’re not sure what exactly happened there. Maybe better not to know! We so loved you Well and will always remember you!

The babies are really growing up so beautifully. But it seems Rock needed a name change and is now Rockelle. But we still call her Rock for short!  Way likes to take care of Rockelle  and even put his wing around her the other day! They have started grooming each other. Fara likes to call it kissing! But what they really love is when Charlie massages their heads!

Rocksie gave everyone a scare as she left the nest for three days. Daddy Owl (named Appleton by Gina after the street next to ours) would bring the babies food at night but what about during the day? So Grandfather Charlie made sure they had food. First some of the neighbors and kids searched for worms. Then Charlie began getting owl food for them from the pet store. I won’t go into it here what the menu is!

But Rocksie came back and we all learned that is what mama owls do to encourage their babies to learn to fly. Rocksie and Appleton have been calling to them to come out and play from the neighbor’s tree next door. So far they haven’t left but they did do some flapping of their wings! Here is a picture of Way. He is really getting to be quite handsome isn’t he!

We all know that soon the babies will be leaving the nest. Way stood on the rim of the basket the other day. Our hope is that they still come to visit or even decide Rockwell Way is their permanent home! In the meantime we are just enjoying our time with them!

 

❤️Love,

Lee and all the Neighbors on Rockwell Way!🌈