“Uncommon, but widespread” is how one author describes the Great Horned Owl. Uncommon indeed: I had never seen one before. Further, others last saw one around here three months ago. So, it was a delight to spot one yesterday sleeping over a snow bank along the road between New Denver and Kaslo.
A curious aspect of the Great Horned, other than its considerable size, is that it begins courting as early as December. Indeed, this one seemed to already have a companion.
The Great Horned Owl sleeps during the day, but this one stirred briefly when a noisy snow plough drove by.
The traffic was sparse across this mountain pass, but after a time the owl decided to move farther from the road. It flew to a tree where it appears to snuggle with a companion.
“Its daytime; all I want to do is sleep.”
Am I missing something, Alistair? I can’t see the companion. Unless the middle picture _is_ the companion before the original owl joined it.
Heather, I see two birds in the middle picture. The one on the right is facing us, the one on the left is in profile and snuggled right up against the other. I think that the eye on the left belongs to the left bird, not the right one. But, I could be wrong. Do others only see one bird in that mass of feathers?
After much squinting and head-turning I can see what you mean, but still think it’s only one owl. Sorry. Where would be the left owl’s ear?
Tempting to see two birds, but I agree with Heather that there is only one. The twigs in the background are deceiving. Great shots none the less!
I see two birds, Alistair. The stuffed owl inhabiting my classroom has its ear tufts down, like the one to the left in your picture A few years ago we had a Great Horned Owl at Redfish School who was alive and hopping around the playground before school started and dead by recess. The conservation officer said it was likely hit by a car while hunting on the highway for mice. During the same winter, we found a dead Pygmy Owl on the lower field. Last week, my neighbour saw an owl chased by a crow flying into the nearby cottonwood trees near Mill Creek in Harrop. I love owls, thanks for posting.
Yes, two owls snuggling, very nice.
If that is only one owl, then it has very weird eyes! It must be two owls. On the C&W rail trail, it was common to see a Great Horned Owl around McRae Creek south of Farron.
Great shots Alistair. I also see two owls.
Cheers Paul
I only see one owl, look at the snow patterns on the owl in the bottom shot – same as the one owl where everyone thinks there are two. Owls tend to puff up so they look bigger.
Love the close up shot with the snow on the bird’s face! So close!