(Please click "Continue reading..." to read about the video.)
The above video tells the story of a screech owl family that lived just beyond my backyard last spring.
I re-edited just a bit after finding a new image of the last baby owl after it left the nest -- and enlarged the final image just a tad for dramatic effect.
The video is still 3 minutes and 24 seconds long, and if you like owls or cute baby critters, it should be a fast 3:24.
The video features footage from the nesting box's miniature video-cam, great outside photography by my friend and colleague Jerry Barrack, and a rousing soundtrack by the Hunger Mountain Boys.
If you like the video, please spread the word. As you'll see, this was a labor of love.
I sure do hope you'll like it. If not, let me know how I can make it better!
In the meantime, if you are new to this blog, I hope you'll look around and then visit often.
It is about nature, birds, and a magical place in North Jersey called the Celery Farm. I try to post almost every day.
I also recently did a less ambitious video of a great blue heron walking on the ice. I also did a sweet video of a young friend who happened to be singing "What a Wonderful World" a capella just as a female wood duck flew into her nesting box.
Thanks,
Jim
ACE is a screech owl who has been living in a nesting box just beyond Wright’s backyard since mid-November. Last spring, Ace and his mate had four owlets successfully fledge from the box.
Simply fantastic endeavor, your Ace family video with Hunger Mountain Boys!! Thanks!! Amazing!!
Posted by: Deedee Burnside | February 08, 2008 at 07:32 AM
What a production!! You "Aced" it!
Posted by: Tom Burr | February 08, 2008 at 09:38 AM
This is the best film I've seen in years. It has everything, including a tearjerker ending and the perfect soundtrack. Thanks Jim!
Posted by: Tom Capetta | February 08, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Wow! you made my day! And, I'm sure I'll watch it quite a few times. Nifty, and thanks so much!
Posted by: Christine | February 08, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Really good,just one thing missing voice over by Sir David Attenborough 10/10
Posted by: Chris and Carol | February 08, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Terrific job Jim !!
Posted by: Doug M. | February 08, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Fantastic!
Posted by: Alice | February 08, 2008 at 09:57 PM
I see a wordsearch in the future for my Coolidge speech students. I also see an exercise for term memory skills in this great illustrated short story.
thank you for enhancing my lesson plans.
I just love it.
sally t.
Posted by: Sally Teschon | February 09, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Awesome video and photos!
Posted by: Tyson | February 09, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Keep this up,Jim, and Hollywood will be calling. You just may be the John "Hoot"ston of the birding world!(Groan). Thanks for the countless hours of hard work you've put in to make this amazing video. Thanks also to Jerry as well as the Hunger Mountain Boys. Well done!!!!!
Posted by: Chris Kobelin | February 09, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Help-is there a glitch in the vidoe today or is it my computer?
sally t,
Posted by: sally teschon | February 11, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Try it again... Works for me. If you still have probelms, let me know at wright@northjersey.com
Thanks.
Posted by: jim wright | February 11, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Awesome video. I've promoted it at my blog:
http://owlbox.blogspot.com/2008/02/awesome-screech-owl-video.html
BTW, cool pic of the squirrel that tangled with Ace!
Posted by: Owlman | February 11, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Dear Mr. Wright,
I really like the owl video. I've never seen anything like it before! Does the mother leave because she believes in her children and trusts them?
-Sean Franklin, age 8
(Tom's son)
Posted by: Sean Franklin | February 16, 2008 at 11:50 AM
I did watch the owl family last Spring - logged on every day to check them out! - So it is really gratifying to see the whole process encapsulated in 3+ neat minutes!!
Posted by: Gwenn Hauck | February 16, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Sean,
Great question!
I think that the Mom leaves because she knows that the baby owl is big enough to leave and wants him to a little iundependent,.. She stays near him and the owlets for several more weeks to make sure they are safe.
Aren't parents great?
Jim
Posted by: Jim Wright | February 16, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Thanks much to you and everyone else who has enjoyed the video. I hate to say, but I have seen it a few dozen times and it still makes me smile. A lot.
Best,
Jim
Posted by: Jim Wright | February 16, 2008 at 08:02 PM
I bet you wish you'll be looking at live feeds, very, very soon! I know I am!
Posted by: Christine | February 16, 2008 at 10:35 PM
I was drawn right into the music and the drama of this owl family. Thanks for a rare glimpse of other lives! Diane
Posted by: Diane Brown | February 17, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Hi Jim.
I discovered your blog while listening to SreeTips in BlogTalkRadio.
I live in Argentina, South America.
In my spare time I ran a blog about the birds that can be found nearby the place I live.
I really enjoy the interview, Sree tips about your blog and, OF COURSE, your owl video.
I hope you enjoy my blog (in spanish)
http://www.avesdetuzona.com
My neighbors send photos and videos to share in addition to our own material.
It's a small but growing community.
Regards from Buenos Aires
Florencia Coelho
Posted by: AVESDETUZONA | February 17, 2008 at 06:59 PM
That's awesome. And your blog looks great.
Posted by: Jim Wright | February 18, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Thanks for the cool owl video.
I've got screech owls checking out my webcam enabled nest box several times a week now. Hopefully a pair will settle in to raise some owlets.
Bob
squirrelhouse.com
Posted by: Bob | February 19, 2008 at 12:14 AM
great video! nice edit. hope to see more.
Posted by: Cheong Weng Chun | February 21, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Certainly a Best Picture nominee!
Posted by: Vern | February 25, 2008 at 03:21 AM
You did such a great job with this! Thank you for everything that you share.
Posted by: KT | February 27, 2008 at 04:17 PM