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" E. T. "

© Jim Baines

" E. T. "

Uploaded: January 15, 2010

Description


Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus



Exif: F Number: 7.1, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 10/2500 seconds, Flash: Strobe return light not detected., ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 95.00 mm, Model: NIKON D200

Comments

Jim Baines level-classic January 15, 2010

Exceptionally adaptable to a wide range of habitats and climates, the Great Horned Owl is a very widespread nocturnal predator. Its acute vision and hearing and its powerful talons make it a formidable hunter. Great Horned Owls are known to capture mammals and birds, as well as reptiles and even fish. They typically roost during the day, and if discovered by other birds such as crows, jays, or chickadees, they are often mobbed by a noisy group. Other owls are no match for the Great Horned Owl, and they typically stop calling if a Great Horned Owl is heard nearby. And get a load of this, Great Horned Owls are among the few animals to prey on skunks. Their nests often smell strongly of skunk, and the birds themselves often retain this pungent odor long after they have been made into museum specimens.

To be sure, neither I, nor skilled writers like Alton and Feldman, could do better than to repeat the following well-chosen words of Ernest T. Seton (1890): "My ample opportunities of fully observing these interesting birds in captivity as well as in a state of freedom, and indeed all that I have seen of them: their untameable ferocity, which is daily more apparent; their magnificent bearing; their objection to carrion, and strictly carnivorous tastes: would make me rank these winged tigers among the most pronounced and savage of the birds of prey."

#1227258

Michelle Alton January 15, 2010

A most gorgeous presentation of his wise, brilliant, fine feathered, and gentle...oops...FEROCIOUS Majesty.

Their plaintive calls to one another are heart almost nightly in our suburban environs in winter, but only rarely have seen them in their silent, magnificent and graceful flight. And NEVER have I encountered one perched or on the ground.

On another note...I love being grouped with you and "Feldman" ...you are both brilliant narrators and remarkers! #8298831

Ron McEwan January 15, 2010

Beautiful shot Jim. I have seen their silhouette in a tree at sunset out on planes here in western MO. #8298958

Val Feldman level-deluxe January 15, 2010

Gosh, Jim, looking at that magnificent bearing, those huge golden eyes, those cute little ear tufts, hard to believe he's been described as a "Winged Tiger" but after reading your info, believe me, I have no doubt! A perfect capture with beautiful feather detail and color - those talons look wicked! Skunk??? Such magnificence should be more discriminating! :) Well done, Tex! #8299047

Tammy Espino January 15, 2010

Wow on this capture. I have seen a couple in the wild and they are so silent when they fly. Awesome! #8299348

Hal Bambrick January 15, 2010

WOW Jim!,Great capture and Narrative!!!. #8299677

Shelly A. Van Camp level-classic January 15, 2010

Beautiful capture, Jim! #8300134

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