EFLORAROSS

We have a pair of barred owls living in the woods behind our home. It is delightful to hear and watch them regularly. One evening, we heard them calling to each other and stepped out on our deck to see if we could catch a glimpse. We ended up watching both the male and female in a tree just feet from us. It was so cool! Then my husband carried our kitten Noodles outside. Watch the owl's reaction when he hears the cat meow. It sure looked like the owl was sizing our pet up and thinking about it as potential prey. I was really nervous and wanted my husband to take our pet back inside. I did not care for the way that owl was looking at him. A barred owl was photographed in Minnesota in 2012 grabbing and flying off with a full-grown domestic cat, a semi-regular prey item for the great horned owl but previously unknown to be taken by this species. The barred owl is a generalist predator. The principal prey of this owl species are voles, followed by mice and shrews. Other mammals preyed upon include bats, opossums, rabbits, rats, squirrels, and weasels. Birds are taken occasionally. This owl will wade into water to capture crayfish, fish and frogs. Additional prey items include a variety of bugs, lizards, and snakes. Prey is usually devoured on the spot. Larger prey is carried to a feeding perch and torn apart before eating. We've seen the barred owls in our neighborhood catch and eat a wide variety of prey. Never cat, thankfully. But there's always a first time. And I didn't want it to be with our kitty! The barred owl hunts by waiting on a high perch at night or flying through the woods and swooping down on prey. A barred owl can sometimes be seen hunting before dark. This typically occurs during the nesting season or on dark and cloudy days. We see the owls in our neighborhood during the day quite frequently. But mostly at dusk. And in the middle of the night, they often make quite the racket just outside our bedroom window.

The pure joy and amazement my daughter displayed during her first visit to a local dry cleaners reminded me she has much to learn about the technological advancements that have improved our lives over the years. At nine years old, she is growing up in a world where technology rules. And the speed at which it progresses is mind blowing. But it is the only reality she knows, and she barely blinks at the pace of innovation we are surrounded by today. She also knows very little about things now considered outdated. Or how we got to where we are today. My husband recently called from a business trip, and my daughter had no idea how to use my iPhone as an actual phone. She is used to FaceTime and didn't know to hold the phone up to her ear. She was so amazed when she saw the conveyer belt at the dry cleaners, I was amused. As was the business' employee, who invited my daughter to use her own foot to make it work. As you can see, it was a hit. Her reaction is priceless. As soon as we got home, we looked into the history and science behind the conveyor belt. We learned primitive conveyor belts were used as early as the 19th century. Conveyors are durable and reliable components used in automated distribution and warehousing. It is considered a labor saving system, allowing large volumes to move rapidly through a process, so companies can ship or receive higher volumes with smaller storage space and with less labor expense. Belt conveyors are the most commonly used powered conveyors, because they are the most versatile and the least expensive. Product is conveyed directly on the belt so both regular and irregular shaped objects, large or small, light and heavy, can be transported successfully. They can be used to transport product in a straight line or through changes in elevation or direction, just like my daughter saw at the dry cleaners. We are a homeschooling family and have a science unit coming up in a few weeks on simple machines. I think we got a head start today. Maybe we will even build a simple conveyor belt of our own!

Our cat Noodles was checking out my daughter's new slippers and got stuck inside of one.

Our cat Noodles being his affectionate self.

This is the second video in a series that follows the progression of one feline from feral to house cat. She's had a vet check, been introduced to our other cats, and is settling in to a life of leisure...

My daughter recently completed a science unit on animal adaptations. As part of a lesson on the arctic, she got to try out what it feels like to have blubber.

My 9yo daughter is participating in the PAWSitive Reading Program at our local Humane Society. It is designed to help the animals become better socialized while strengthening reading skills for kids. Today, my daughter read in a free roaming cat room (a book from the Warriors series about cats), and an 8yo male named Apricat took notice. The volunteers all came rushing over to watch, because they were amazed to see his reaction. They told us it was the first time he had approached anyone in this manner since he'd arrived at the shelter. And they were so happy to see it. An employee said it was helpful to be able to know Apricat is good with children. It was the perfect example of what the program is all about. And great news, Apricat has found a new home!

We had the opportunity to review some new Wild Kratts toys! Check out our thoughts on these products. This review is for the Collector Figure Set: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Kratts-Collector-Action-Figure/dp/B0759W7YMG

We had the opportunity to review some new Wild Kratts toys! Check out our thoughts on these products. This review is for the Deluxe Mask Set: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Kratts-Toys-Power-Masks/dp/B0759NSX4V

We had the opportunity to review some new Wild Kratts toys! Check out our thoughts on these products. This review is for the Power Disc Set: Power Disc Set - Chris https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Kratts-Creature-Power-Holder/dp/B0759X1JXX Power Disc Set - Martin https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Kratts-Creature-Power-Holder/dp/B0759G3FG4

A barred owl calls for its mate in my neighbor's yard at dusk. Barred Owls have a distinctive hooting call of 8–9 notes, described as “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”

Our daughter checking out virtual reality glasses. First, she was up close with a dinosaur. Then she went on an African safari. Finally, she is underwater in the Arctic. She declared the experience, "Awe-SOME!!!"

Meet Jaggar and Rocky, two Sumatran tiger cubs at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek before they were officially on exhibit. They are 10 weeks old in these images.

In December, 2016 we trapped a small gray feral cat, and named her Little Gray. We took her to a local organization that offers a free TNR program. She was estimated to be four months old, and had never experienced any pregnancies. She was spayed, vaccinated and dewormed, and we released her back with the colony that lives in the woods behind our home. We feed and provide shelter for the colony, and have taken all the members in to be TNRd. Over time, Little Gray began to become more social with us, eventually seeking out human touch. She learned to trust each member of our family. When the weather grew cold, she showed great interest in coming inside. And we decided to give it a try. She is adjusting remarkably well. We have her set up in her own room. She was understandably freaked out at first, but has come to relax and settle in. She is incredibly sweet and loving. Next step is a visit from a mobile vet and - if she receives a clean bill of health - introductions to our other indoor cats. Oh, and if things work out, my daughter wants to rename her Bluestar, after a character in the Warriors book series. Complete with an official clan renaming ceremony. We're hopeful this can become her furever home.