Unacceptable Rypstra
012 (4) (WS) Wild Encounter
I have a bit of time this morning, so I will tell the start of this magnificent day; the first day we, (a photographer friend, my younger two sons, and I), saw two owls in this park together.
We had not been in the park long, when this owl flew over our heads. We stayed put, and several minutes later it came back and landed in a Western Red Cedar right next to us. (The moment of this portrait).
Again, it didn't stay long, when it decided to fly right over my friend's head!
Another relocation, (we were staying put, watching the owl fly to and fro), and suddenly the second owl joined the first. The 'original' owl left it's perch moments before the second owl reached it, and they joined in the air in what looked like a brief scuffle with talons, before they both landed on the same branch.
They stayed there for less than a minute before the two of them joined ranks in chasing a Gray Squirrel that was jumping tree to tree, then spiralled down a nearby tree and off across a log over the creek and into the forest with one of the owls inches behind it in a graceful swoop.
We marvelled at this action right in front of us, all happening too fast and too close to even attempt a picture. Leaving the owls to finish their hunting in peace, we once again stayed put talking about the experience and occasionally seeing one of the owls zig-zagging through the woods in the distance.
Some ten minutes later one of the owls came back and landed in a nearby moss covered Big Leaf Maple tree and started preening. Minutes later the second owl joined it and they participated in allopreening. (The greeting that proceeded this mutual grooming session I have already uploaded).
...and that is only the beginning of a most remarkable morning spent with them.
I am making a semi-educated guess that the two owls involved are last years siblings. That was one story I heard from people who live nearby and frequent this park. The large female who used to 'rule' this park had disappeared, and I found out that she had been hit by a car and killed on a nearby road.
The other story I came across was that they are a mated pair. I spent many hours observing and keeping an eye open for a possible active nest site, and never found one, if there ever was one. Neither did I find any young owlets.
I will continue this story with more photos and at least one video link when time allows.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.
012 (4) (WS) Wild Encounter
I have a bit of time this morning, so I will tell the start of this magnificent day; the first day we, (a photographer friend, my younger two sons, and I), saw two owls in this park together.
We had not been in the park long, when this owl flew over our heads. We stayed put, and several minutes later it came back and landed in a Western Red Cedar right next to us. (The moment of this portrait).
Again, it didn't stay long, when it decided to fly right over my friend's head!
Another relocation, (we were staying put, watching the owl fly to and fro), and suddenly the second owl joined the first. The 'original' owl left it's perch moments before the second owl reached it, and they joined in the air in what looked like a brief scuffle with talons, before they both landed on the same branch.
They stayed there for less than a minute before the two of them joined ranks in chasing a Gray Squirrel that was jumping tree to tree, then spiralled down a nearby tree and off across a log over the creek and into the forest with one of the owls inches behind it in a graceful swoop.
We marvelled at this action right in front of us, all happening too fast and too close to even attempt a picture. Leaving the owls to finish their hunting in peace, we once again stayed put talking about the experience and occasionally seeing one of the owls zig-zagging through the woods in the distance.
Some ten minutes later one of the owls came back and landed in a nearby moss covered Big Leaf Maple tree and started preening. Minutes later the second owl joined it and they participated in allopreening. (The greeting that proceeded this mutual grooming session I have already uploaded).
...and that is only the beginning of a most remarkable morning spent with them.
I am making a semi-educated guess that the two owls involved are last years siblings. That was one story I heard from people who live nearby and frequent this park. The large female who used to 'rule' this park had disappeared, and I found out that she had been hit by a car and killed on a nearby road.
The other story I came across was that they are a mated pair. I spent many hours observing and keeping an eye open for a possible active nest site, and never found one, if there ever was one. Neither did I find any young owlets.
I will continue this story with more photos and at least one video link when time allows.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.