Hoot-hoot!

Last week I found a dead mouse (or vole?) way up in our birch tree, and I figured it was left there by the owl I've heard hooting at night. 







The other night I caught a glimpse of the owl high atop a neighbor's tree. Such a cool sight, and a little spooky! I think it's a Great Horned Owl, judging by its size and cute little "ears." I watched as he swooped down with an impressive wing span, right past the house. 

An Owl Story, from Illinois

Almost a year ago, my uncle in Illinois told us about an owl who liked to hang out in a tree by his front porch and poop bones and fur onto the sidewalk. He recently sent us another owl story just as fascinating. Take it away, Todd!

"Walked out my back door around noon and heard thumping coming from one of the black garbage containers I have outside. Figured a squirrel had somehow figured a way in despite them being closed. Flipped the lid on the first on, peered in = nothing. Flipped the second one open and again, nothing. Then I hear noise from the brown waste container (it has no lid). Peered in and there was... AN OWL for cryin' out loud! Not sure why it was in there. Nothing in there to eat. Maybe hiding from crows or other birds. Anyway, I laid the container down and was able to get quite close (almost to petting range). But that beak and those talons keps me cautious. He left after awhile but seemed to show no fear."

Barred Owl

This post comes all the way from Illinois. I bet my Uncle Todd doesn't know he's a contributing editor to this blog!

Thought you might get a kick out of the new resident in our birch tree 10 feet from the front porch.

Its a barred owl. I’ve never seen one before. He just sits in the tree (no nest) and gets chased occasionally by other birds (for the last few days) but always returns. The limb is over the sidewalk and besides the white splots he emits, there are also grayish balls consisting of tiny bones, fur, and feathers of the creatures he has dined on. He looks pretty well fed.

Anyway, its kind of neat. We are enjoying his company. He is a pretty good size owl.

Hay Bale Owl. I Think.

As seen in Bayfield, WI in October 2008.