Maryalice Wood
Langley, CA
Member since September 6, 2008
Most Viewed
No Blinking!
I looked just beyond my bedroom patio and saw this barred owl in the buttercups. She didn't move when I opened the sliding door and snapped a few times! When she flew away, I realized she had a shrew in her talons! Shortly afterwards I saw 3 owlets in the high branches and one of them had the rodent's tail hanging from it's beak--a successful hunt for momma and lunch for baby!
On Guard!
We have had barred owls living in our forested acreage for many years, but this year the adults were much more visible. Most nights, until the young were hatched, momma owl would fly near our home and just sit as it got dark. She seemed undaunted by our presence and would perch nearby while we tended our garden! This particular evening she lighted on the top of a small broken tree near our carport and just surveyed the scene--all the while keeping alert to other birds, especially the squawking jays!
Triumphant Sunday Dinner!
While on a walk along Crescent Beach, I wondered at the noisy gulls attacking each other near the shoreline. Then I saw this gull triumphantly swimming away with his catch, and understood why!