Starting with this barred owl. There are a few of these in the area so we hear them often, but seeing them "up close" in our yard is always a thrill!
This one was more alert than usual, very keyed up. He (?) saw me at the window and really took notice -- which is strange.
Then I realized the probable reason: there was another one nearby and they were both making those weird owl mating calls. That explains the hyper-alertness. (Daytime owls are usually pretty chill in my limited experience.)
The other source of feathered excitement shouldn't be a surprise:
It's the ducks!
They've been in the pond almost every day, just hanging out. They're sort of creating havoc by ripping up some of the plants and generally stirring things up, but I still love seeing them paddling around my little pond.
I saw them mating yesterday, so if they can find a good spot to nest around here ducklings may be in my garden's future.
That would be amazing!
Not that birds in general aren't pretty amazing in themselves.
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How cool to have two owls visit your garden. I've never seen a wild owl in person. Ducklings would be adorable!
ReplyDeleteNice photos!
ReplyDeleteI think you might have to expand you little pond in the future.
Oh my gosh, I hope you get ducklings! They would be cute, along with baby owls.
ReplyDeletePeter: You've got to go owling (is that a thing?) sometime this summer. There's a guy in Forest Park here in STL that gives owl tours -- surely there must be people who do that in the PNW too!
ReplyDeleteMaywyn: I don't think it's possible, but would take an unthinkable amount of work! I'd love slightly more pond space though... :)
Renee: I'm pretty sure ducklings and baby owls would not play nice together. ;) You just reminded me to build that screech owl house that I've been thinking about for a year...
Daytime owl? Wow. We hear their hoots here late at night, and I've seen silhouettes in the dark against the moon.
ReplyDeleteI love owls, I wish I could attract them to my garden.
ReplyDelete