Posts

Showing posts with the label owl

A Fool Bird On A Fool's Day

Image
A fool's hen? Ruffed grouse in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada by Jim Cumming. Various types of forest grouse are sometimes rather unkindly referred to as 'fool hens' because they don't fly away when approached by humans. In its northernmost habitat in Canada, the ruffed grouse pictured here is more likely to behave a little more ‘foolishly’, sitting and looking at people as they approach. But further south, they are more wary and fly off at the slightest sign of movement. And they can be quite the acrobatic fliers when needed, flying in short spurts and making sharp twists and turns as they navigate thick forests.

Mother– A Savior, A Protector

Image
A little owl love on Mothering Sunday A love so pure and so selfless! This little owl is shown feeding her baby son as we celebrate Mothering Sunday in the UK. The UK’s smallest owl, they reach full height at around 20cm– so are quickly caught up by their offspring. With striking yellow eyes and a mottled brown and cream colouring, it is not unusual to spot little owls sitting on fence posts like this one during the daytime, scouring the ground for food – from crickets and beetles to small mammals. They nest in holes – usually in trees but, thanks to their small stature, can set up homes in abandoned rabbit burrows and cavities in buildings and rocks. The little owl was introduced to the UK in the late 1800's and is now largely found in the farming landscapes of southern and south east England. They raise their young between May and July and are quite chatty, so listen out for their distinctive calls - the males can be particularly noisy when establishing their territo...

The Allure Of Some Predators

Image
Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo) in wildflower meadow, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany Look at the ears and the fascinated feathers of this magnificent creature! Hedwig is probably one of the most famous owls in contemporary film history. As a faithful companion of Harry Potter, she has not only found a place in the hearts of many children, but also delighted many adults. We don't know why our leading actor looks so grim in this picture, but even a Lord Voldemort should be anxious and serious. Our owl – scientifically known as Bubo bubo - belongs to a genus of birds in the family of the actual owls. With a size of up to 75 centimetres, a weight of around 3.4 kilograms and a wingspan of about 1.80 metres, the owl is the largest owl in the world. Special features are its eye-catching feather ears and the striking orange eyes. Today's picture was taken in Rhineland-Palatinate. The main area of the owl is located in the state with the capital Mainz in the districts of Bad ...

Great Horned Owl

Image
Great horned owl sitting in an aspen tree, Alberta, Canada.