Owls have always
been a mysterious fascination for me. I think that it may be because of their
mysterious lifestyle.
Over the past few
days I enjoyed photographing several snowy owls as well as one Great-horned
owl. I also spent time just watching them as they sat, all-knowing on their varied
perches. Most of the snowy owls sat on tall roosts such as power-poles, barn
roofs or fence posts. Two sat in the field, half buried in snow. Perhaps they
had caught their mousy meal already and were waiting for me to move along so
they could enjoy their lunch in peace. Each owl sat motionless with hooded
eyes, with only their head swiveling to show life. They can turn their heads a
full circle, or 360 degrees but rarely do so. Most often they swivel up to 270
degrees or a ¾ turn. Humans can only do 180 degrees maximum. Owls can also do a
full 180 degree tilt up and down, Their eyes do not move in their socket like
ours do. Less body movement makes owls less likely to be noticed by potential
prey.
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| Male Snowy Owl |
When the hungry
owl spots a meal, they lift off very quickly and glide down on muffled wings to
silently grab their unsuspecting prey. Mice, shrews, lemmings, squirrels, voles,
rabbits, hares, ducks, as well as smaller birds are all potential prey. They
hunt from perches or by gliding over open fields and meadows or ponds. Some
hunt in the forest as well. The great-horned owl often take prey such as
squirrels, grouse and hares in forest landscapes. Owl nests have been known to
contain pet collars as well, so mind your small dogs and cats when walking or
playing outdoors. They all have tremendous eyesight and hearing as well. We
used to watch Great Grey owls swoop off the tops of poplar trees and plummet into
two feet of snow after invisible mice rustling around in their snow covered
lairs more than 50 meters away. The great grey could pin-point and grasp that
mouse using only mouse-rustling sound directed into their facial disc ears.
One owl sat on
the peak of a granary while a pigeon, a potential meal, sat watchfully in the
auger hole of the neighboring granary, hoping not to become the meal.
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| Snowy Owl on Granary While Pigeon Watches |
Snowy owls have
been quite common over the past few years far south of their normal range. This
southern irruption is due to healthy owl populations in the far northern
nesting grounds. Come winter time, they have been migrating south in search of
food on the prairies and even along the sea shore. While down in more populated
regions of the country photographers and owl watchers have enjoyed great
viewing and photo opportunities which may also put some stress on the birds.
Generally, they are quite skittish if we get too close to their roost. Some
will tolerate us within 50 to 100 meters or so but many will flush when you get that
close so they are using up valuable body fat and calories needed to survive. It
is a good idea to allow them to relax and watch from a comfortable distance. Use
good binoculars or a telephoto lens to get closer looks.
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| Snowy Owl Watched by Cows |
Generally, males
are whiter than females and the older they get the more white they are. Older adult
males will have very little black barring in their plumage.
I also enjoyed
spending time with a young Great-horned owl that likes to hide out in my brother’s
windbreak. His lighter colored plumage indicates his young age but not sex.
Unlike the day-time hunting snowy owl, the Great-horned owl prefers hunting at
night or in early dawn or dusk. The GHO prefers to roost and sleep the day away
from pestering crows, magpies or threatened song birds. He may also carry part
of his latest meal to his roost for a snack later in the day. I once saw one
carry half of a snowshoe hare to his day time roost.
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| Great Horned Owl Roost |
While out hunting
for owls or other birds there is always the chance of seeing other wildlife and
spectacular scenery. This weekend was no exception. Several herds of deer
were together, accompanied by bucks in hopes of catching a doe in heat. It is past the rutting season but there may be a chance that a doe did not
catch the first time in heat.
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| Mule Deer Watching |
We also enjoyed a
welcome Chinook as its warm wind swept across the prairie. The temperature
warmed up by more than 20 degrees overnight after the snowstorm and chill of
the past few days. We could see the clear blue Chinook arch hanging above
the mountains to the west chasing the grey cloud cover east. Wind picked up
causing drifting along fence lines and ditches as well as chasing snow snakes
across the highway.
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| Chinook Arch to the West |
Owls are beautiful
and magnificent predators and rare birds to see, so enjoy it when you do. Take
time to enjoy the scenery and other wildlife, especially when the weather is so
pleasant.
Relax yourself and enjoy the
experience of owl watching. 
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