Burrowing Owls!

[Paul Hamilton]

This spring break, we stayed with our friends in Bonita Springs, Florida, again. We hadn't made it to nearby Cape Coral to see the Burrowing Owls last year, so we were determined to do it this time. A website for the owls told us that Veteran's Park was the nearest nesting location. Ah, but where? It was a big park.

An aside: When vacationing on Sandy Island, in New Hampshire, we often play bocce, an addictive bowling game dating back to the Roman Empire.  In fact, Catherine and her friend Caty were last year's woman's' doubles champions. This matters because, on one side of the park, was an enormous bocce court! "When in doubt", I said, "ask the bocce players."

It worked! One player told us to look for white wooden stakes used to mark the burrows, and pointed one out off in the distance.  Turns out his brother has adopted a burrow and cares for it, which involves white stakes, a wooden perch, and periodic trimming of the surrounding grass. We walked over to the indicated spot and soon realized we were being watched by two sets of large yellow eyes peering out from the grass. Pretty soon, two owlets popped up.  There they were -- Mom, Dad, and the two kids.

From about twenty feet away, we watched the parents continually scanning for potential danger, as only owls can, their heads turning all the way around to the back. The owlets mostly just looked amazed. All were very tolerant of our presence. Nevertheless, not wanting to stress them, we left after about a half hour.

Paul

[MAK]

That's great Paul! 

[dale]

I am entranced by the photos. How very cool.

[Donna]

I have a friend in Florida who has them burrowing right in her yard. They are so beautiful! Thanks Paul.

[valhalla]

Thanks for sharing Paul - these guys are really cute.  Perhaps I will see an owl in the wild in the VERY Near future