I thought I'd seen it all in our fix 'n' flip houses. We're right now doing our final one (at least for awhile) - it's our big Paradise Valley (Phoenix area) house. We moved out this week and the work started this morning. I just got a call from my husband when he showed up with the crew. Somehow an owl has gotten into the house and has already created a nest in one of the big skylights (it's probably 6' x 6' with a wide ledge all around it) in a room very high high ceilings. We're 15 minutes from the Phoenix airport - it's not like it's Wild Kingdom where we are! (We do have 2 acres and a flowing arroyo that the house bridges, but still...)

 

Owl Update....

My son got a ladder and climbed up to take a picture. The owl jumped on his head.

He wrapped it up in his jacket and brought it to our new home. (The thought of him driving his jeep with a wild animal inside aside...) Anyway, he took a photo and sent it via phone to the Fish & Game dept. They identified it as a Boreal Owl, full grown adult and determined that he/she was healthy. They said to just release him in a safe place. So, David climbed a palm tree (did I mention he's a crazy 16 year old?) and coaxed the owl off his shoulder. The owl is now hanging out in our backyard in the trees.

 

Update on the owl - We've moved out of the Paradise Valley house during construction and into another property. David had brought the owl over to our new house (about 2 1/2 miles from the former residence).

Reluctantly, he let the owl go. The owl stayed around in the trees in the backyard for another night and day and then left.

He went back to the Paradise Valley house! The construction workers have seen him in the garage but he flew out when they came in.

 

We think that he is a Boreal Owl.

 

This house is right next to the Biltmore, but feels like you're in the country. There is about 1 1/2 acres, an arroyo and trees (one of them is purported to be the oldest Mesquite in the greater Phoenix area). So, he's just hanging out in that area. There is wildlife - tons of rabbits, quail, morning doves, kangaroo rats, kit fox (once), raccoons, coyotes and bats that come down from Piestewa Peak at night.

I have another pic I have to get loaded (waiting for my son to get back with my flash drive) that shows the owl all snuggled up in David's jacket and fast asleep. He does have laser beam eyes - but seemed like a pet.

 

And here is the owl, all snuggled down for a nap in David's jacket. The owl seemed completely at ease.

 

Wish I could take credit, but they were David's.

 

So is that a benefit to the house? Did you know it was there? Fascinating....

My husband bought a former crack house that had been raided...and had to bring in someone to catch the giant python that was still roaming around.