Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

Staff member

Opus Editor

Supporter

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  delia todd

• Mar 24, 2015

Oh my LOL!! I just love the way he's looking down at you. Such a cheeky face.

A super picture Linda. Very well done.

 

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  hikerbikergram

• Mar 24, 2015

Thanks delia, she was checking me out for sure. I have photos of the owlets sitting on the tree cavity nest opening, but I don't know if that is considered a nest shot?

 

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  Pappa Smurf

• Mar 24, 2015

Lucky you Linda. A great capture of a beautiful bird. TFS

 

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  Redbecka

• Mar 24, 2015

He made me smile. What a great looking creature.

 

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  hikerbikergram

• Mar 24, 2015

Thank you Pappa Smurf and Redbecka, she made me smile too. A real beauty!

 

Supporter

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  Stanley Jones

• Mar 24, 2015

Excellent picture of this handsome owl. Fabulous colors, focus, detail, and setting. Great work Linda! It is amazing how early these birds nest!!!!

 

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  hikerbikergram

• Mar 24, 2015

Thanks Stanley, I found the reason for the early nesting. "Why do these owls nest so early each year? Because it takes so long for youngsters to learn the skills that will allow them to survive on their own. Young owls learn to fly at about three months old, but their parents will spend much of the summer teaching them life skills. Night hunting is much more difficult than hunting in the daytime, the tradeoff being that there are fewer predators sharing the night and an abundance of available prey." at this link, http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/189875721.html

 

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  t4unme

• Mar 25, 2015

Wonderful capture, and it does have some "Great Horns". Nice job on one of the earliest nesting birds in North America.

 

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  hikerbikergram

• Mar 25, 2015

Thank you t4unme, they are fabulous