Whether they are the hunter or the hunted, a bird’s camouflage is vital to survival. For raptors and other predators, blending in is key to surprising their prey. Meanwhile, for birds that don’t want to become someone else’s meal, the less conspicious you are, the better. Camouflage is also important for many nesting birds, who […]
Tag: Great Horned Owl
Firefighters Rescue Great Horned Owl from Ashes of California Wildfire
Crew 12 of the Ventura County Fire Department had an unexpected surprise on Sunday, November 3, while patrolling an area adjacent to the then-active Maria Fire just north of Los Angeles: a Great Horned Owl hopping along the ground in the ashes. It’s unusual to spy the nocturnal birds during daylight, and even odder to […]
Wildlife along the Transpantaneira Highway
The Pantanal has, over the past few years, become one of the most popular places in the Americas for viewing wildlife. The 147 km long drive along the Transpantaneira Highway is often described as the best road in the world to spot wildlife. The road links the city of Poconé and the village of Porto […]
POLL: Should US Wildlife “Killing” Services Be Disbanded?
From foxes and falcons to otters and owls, the USDA program is doing away with wildlife in droves. Wow. Who knew that the Wildlife Services branch of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHS) was so busy? I stumbled across their “Program Data Report G – 2017” and honestly, it stopped me in […]
Is ‘Baiting’ an ethical way to photograph wild owls?
Owls make for stunning photography subjects thanks to their unique appearance and air of perpetual astonishment, but they’re also the source of a hot debate in the wildlife photography community. The main point of contention? “Baiting,” or the practice of putting out mice or other treats to draw the birds of prey closer. I first […]
Where are the birds?
Every year I get several letters like one that came in mid-February from WXPR listener Doug Heise, who lives in Rhinelander and has been feeding birds for 30 years. He wrote about the species he’s fed over the years: “So many different varieties. chickadees, nuthatches, many types of finches, Pine Siskins, Chipping Sparrows, cardinals, Blue […]
Ñacurutú (Great Horned Owl) Bubo virginianus
Hoy le toca el turno de lucirse al Ñacurutú que pudo fotografiar Nico en Fachinal el día 28 de Noviembre pasado cuando pudieron registrarlo junto a Lucho y Javier.
February’s romantic rituals
February is a romantic month for people who celebrate Valentine’s Day, and also for several kinds of birds with early nesting cycles. Great Horned Owls may start nesting in February, though in north country during most winters, they’re more likely to wait until a bit later. Bald Eagles and ravens often engage in their splendid […]