Idaho
Burrowing owlets are starting to emerge in eastern Idaho – East Idaho News
As I pulled onto a series of badger holes, a female burrowing owl popped out of one of the burrows and began cussing me. Her significant other quickly flew in as an owlet joined the couple on the edge of the burrow.
Soon, the male flew off to do some hunting, two more owlets emerged from the hole, sprinted to mom and cuddled up to her. One of them appeared to have recently hatched and stayed close to mom while the other two owlets did some exploring. They would go down the burrow and then come back out to chase a beetle or another insect.
When a swainson’s hawk flew high overhead, the female and all three owlets dove down the burrow. After about half an hour, the male returned to the burrow and was soon joined by the female and one of the owlets. The owlets again rushed to see the female when the male left again, almost knocking her over. Once again, the smallest owlet always stayed close to the female.
After watching them for almost two hours, I drove to two other burrows where I saw pairs preparing to make a home two months ago. It appeared that the females were still sitting on eggs or the owlets were not old enough to come out of the burrows because the males were standing guard near the entrance holes.
If you know where burrowing owls are nesting, now is the time to watch them closely. The owlets are very playful and interesting to watch as they develop their hunting skills. These small owls are the only birds to nest underground, and the female incubates the eggs while the male supplies her with food and protection. While sitting on the eggs, the female will develop a “brood patch,” where there are no feathers on part of her belly so the eggs can stay warm by direct contact with her skin. Females can hatch up to nine eggs.
About 80% of their food is insects and the adults will decorate the burrow by picking up animal dung to attract insects and make a quick meal for the nest. The male may capture small animals to feed the family as it grows, but the owlets quickly learn to catch beetles and grasshoppers for themselves.
I will continue to watch these nest areas and be entertained by the growing youngsters. Hopefully, a badger will not find them before they learn to fly.
It is now time to put most of your bird feeders away, except for hummingbird feeders. Most birds have an abundance of food naturally and if we continue to feed sunflower and other seeds, we create “lazy” birds that lose their ability to find their own food. This spring, I had a group of male red-winged blackbirds become dependent on my seed feeders until I emptied them and left them hanging. They finally left after cleaning up all the seeds they had wasted on the ground.
Hummingbird feeders should be filled with sugar-water, mixed about three parts water to one part sugar. Red dyes are not necessary to add to the mix – they will find the feeders with the sweet offering.
Good luck and enjoy the great outdoors safely during the summer.
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The Idaho Transportation Department has quite a few large projects happening around the state. One of those is the replacement of the I84 interchange to Burley and Heyburn. The work began in 2024, and a new step in the progress begins this week.
There will be a number of bridge and ramp closures that will affect traffic on Interstate 84 this week while crews work. The closures will also impact access and traffic on State Highway 24, Centennial Drive, Highway 30, and State Highway 25 in the area.
Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work
The Idaho Transportation Department shared an update and the details of the closures today on social media. Drivers should be cautious and pay attention to signs regarding traffic changes during the closures, which are expected to last through Friday, May 15th.
Beginning on Monday evening, at 6 PM, crews closed Interstate 84 at exit 211 to work on the new bridge. Traffic in the area should use exit 211 to bypass the closure. Work should be finished by 7 AM on Tuesday, but it could still affect the morning drive for some travelers.
READ ALSO: 5 Injured in Southern Idaho Head-on Collision
On Tuesday, the Exit 211 on and off ramps will close intermittently while crews repave SH24. Centennial Drive will also close at some point during this work. The ramps will alternate closures for 6 to 8 hours, and work is expected to continue through Friday. The social media post shares suggestions on alternate routes for drivers during the closures.
Lane reductions are expected to last through June on State Highway 24. Details on the project can be found on the ITD website.
36 of the Worst Idaho License Plate Rejections From 2025
We have to admit that we don’t understand all of these, but the ones that we do really make us question why someone would want these on their car. This isn’t even all of them – we were sent 28 pages with 25 to 30 submissions on each page of rejected personalized plates from 2025.
Gallery Credit: Credit N8 Bird
There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.
Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.
Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.
Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.
Idaho Costcos
Where to find Costcos in Idaho.
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!
Look at those chicken tenders:
Costco Foodcourt’s New Item
It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts
Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?
Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people. The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams. Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.” One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school. His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus. Some of our early leaders were devout Christians. Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service. They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.
They Mock Good People of Other Faiths
I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention. Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke. She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!” Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people? Or would God prefer a gentler approach? For instance, you could pray for conversions.
Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?
Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument. “We’re all going to be judged,” she said. What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?
The Pot Calling the Kettle Black
A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates. A group of liberal women demonstrated outside. I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational. They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event. If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered. Let me add a caveat. Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple. I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people. Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.
Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists. Do we need to draw them some pictures?
Brad Little Through The Years
Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller
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