Great Horned OwlI made reference to this owl in my previous post. I had gone out looking for owls (not really Great Horned but as this was the only one I saw, Great Horned is fine!). This bird was at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area in McHenry County. They are however fairly common throughout our area in the right habitat.
Before seeing this bird, I heard it call. Not the usual 'hoot' call but a relatively quiet screech. Despite knowing which tree it was in, it took me a while to finally see it - and that was only because it flew to a nearby tree! Fortunately, it stopped there and allowed me to get a few shots off before moving to another nearby tree (this time not one I could photograph it in).
I really want to get out this winter and find more owls. There is clearly a technique that I haven't mastered yet as I know people who can fairly regularly and reliably find owls. I imagine part of the trick once you've found them is to remember that location and go back looking for them. A good start is to look hard at likely holes in trees. Like all birds, you shouldn't approach too close (especially not these as they sleep when we're awake!).
I have seen Great Horned Owls before - often mobbed by a flock of crows. Great Horned Owls eat a variety of prey including small mammals, small reptiles, nestlings of other birds and amphibians. Like several other birds, the Great Horned Owl does not make its own nest, but takes over the nests of other birds!
Before seeing this bird, I heard it call. Not the usual 'hoot' call but a relatively quiet screech. Despite knowing which tree it was in, it took me a while to finally see it - and that was only because it flew to a nearby tree! Fortunately, it stopped there and allowed me to get a few shots off before moving to another nearby tree (this time not one I could photograph it in).
I really want to get out this winter and find more owls. There is clearly a technique that I haven't mastered yet as I know people who can fairly regularly and reliably find owls. I imagine part of the trick once you've found them is to remember that location and go back looking for them. A good start is to look hard at likely holes in trees. Like all birds, you shouldn't approach too close (especially not these as they sleep when we're awake!).
I have seen Great Horned Owls before - often mobbed by a flock of crows. Great Horned Owls eat a variety of prey including small mammals, small reptiles, nestlings of other birds and amphibians. Like several other birds, the Great Horned Owl does not make its own nest, but takes over the nests of other birds!
3 comments:
Great looking Owl, Matthew, though have you seen your father's shots of the Masked Owl here in Tassie? It's a great bird, too. I agree, that there must be some knack to finding Owls. Mostly, I've had to rely on being directed to them by someone else, or to follow the distress calls of the other birds (Noisy Miners) mobbing them!
Thanks John and yes, I have seen his pictures of the Masked Owl. It was quite a coincidence that we both saw an owl on the same day on different sides of the planet!
Most of the Great Horned Owls located by myself have included Crows also!! I think that is wonderful you two both saw owls at the same time! Wonderful photo and great story!
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