Photo by Paul Schlarman
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) takes a breezy afternoon snooze. They can stay incredibly still, resting during the day for nocturnal hunting activities. Their concealing plumage allows them to remain undetected by most creatures, even on exposed perches. I've found myself within 10 feet of an individual before even realized they were there. Dead Horse Ranch State Park
I used to have a huge one visit, periodically. I don't know why s/he stopped coming.
They have a home range of around 1.5 miles, so it may have just picked a different spot.
Perhaps reintroduce more rodents into your yard! ๐
The hawks and red-headed woodpeckers still come, and so do the mosquitoes, mice, squirrels deer, cotton mouths, rattlers, and more recently, a gator. I live near wooded areas, with plenty of kids near me, as well. We've been fortunate with no kids being snake-bitten, but I did send a baby cotton mouth slithering off by touching it's tail with my toe (in flip-flops, no less. Didn't have my glasses on, so... But I'm glad because it was between an elderly couple's and two barely primary school aged kids'house, during a walk). Snakes will be hibernating in a couple of months and tiny critters of all sorts trying to get in. I try to live in peace with them until they start coming inside my house, then I seek more definitive measures. Maybe the owl will return when the fields are planted again.
Ooo you've got a lot of unique visitors!
I've had some very vocal Red Tailed Hawks today. There's a large number of new deer I've seen. I haven't seen the foxes, but I think someone was trying to catch them to treat their mange. The squirrels and jays have gotten lots of peanuts this weekend. The one little girl that walks through the back yard area with her parents occasionally finds the peanuts and seems to think we have a peanut tree. โบ๏ธ I learned last year, there's a darker version of the garter snake that does not have the pleasant disposition of the more brightly colored one. I got good pics of it before it started snapping at me! I'll get toads, frogs, turtles, and once or twice there was a huge snapper. I haven't seen the turkeys around for a few years. They used to come on my porch.
Oh wow! That sounds amazing. One of the blessings of living in my corner is that I do live in one of the most ecodiverse areas of the states. I find peace here, when I let myself. It sounds like you also live in an ecodiverse area. You reminded me I used to see turkeys, too. In my area, they're pretty aggressive, but they're hunted a fair bit.
I know this is a place for owls, would you mind showing me a picture of the snake? Can I appeal to you on the basis that snakes are food for some owls? I'm just curious if we have that breed of snake here, and call it something else. Either way, thank you.
I kept trying to get one where I caught its tongue in the shot.
This is the type I normally encounter:
Oh wow, thanks for sharing. We have the first variety, I was aware they're aggressive but that's normal-aggressive, to me!
The second is extremely beautiful, and with the bonus of docile? Wouldn't mind making friends with one.
Thanks again, enjoy your Sunday!
The pretty one I've held on a few occasions, though if they get scared, they can spray you with some foul secretion. ๐ฎ
Always a pleasure to share with you!
What?! I've been spat on by llamas, which is also foul. Thanks for the warning-- and your kindness. Blessings!