A few years ago, two Great-Horned Owls decided to raise a family outside of my workplace. (I named the babies Jericho and Methuselah.) Everyone was excited about it--we all would go on our breaks and look for them. We watched them mature. I got to see them fly! They looked like giant cats sitting on tree limbs, from a distance. And for a while, I was an expert on all things Great-horned owl; I knew their eating habits, mating habits, habitat habits, gestation period, particular menu favorites, speed of flight. I don't remember much of it anymore, but I totally did know, once! I'm not really a bird person. In fact, I find that I have an incredible fondness for the underdog--the poor earthworms that robins peck at throughout the year. Poor things. Robins can be vicious. But owls--at least, the Great Horned variety--are different. Sure, they eat small mammals, but they, at least the four I got to know and love, have one thing over other birds (specifically robins): They actually like me. I know it. I'm not sure this owl in the photo does, though.
5 comments:
Owls are so fascinating! Lucky you that you got to be so close the one. I've always been mesmerized by the way they blink their eyes, not too fast, not too slow, just enough to let you know that they have it all figured out. The way they are able to turn their heads so smoothly also adds to their aura of wisdom. - G
Awww! that sounds like an awesome experience! I'm totally jealous! Yay Great Horned Owls!
I like birds of prey, myself, but don't really care much for other birds, either. It would be awesome to learn falconry and hunt with one!
What a great picture! That would be so cool to have them nearby! :)
Owls are pretty cool.
Georgina: I know! We were all pretty mesmerized by them, here.
Amalia: Yay! I totally heart them. I'm not sure I'm into falcons, but I would give them a chance. Many birds of prey have been given a bum rap through cartoons and stories, I think. While evil little robins are drawn as cute little feathery things.
Jemi: It was so awesome! I kept hoping they'd come back this year, as they do tend to return to the area they were birthed, or hatched, I guess...but no such luck, so far.
Whispering: They really, really are. :)
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