We've got a pair ripping a big stump apart..... They are nice birds to have in our yard.
That will catch your attention ! Were the owls deep hooting (great horned) or were they sort of staggered less deep hoot talking/chatting/sometimes pigeon cooing (barred owl)?No pics but had an interesting encounter this morning. It was about 6:15. I had heard some owls while I was putting on my waders.
I was walking under some trees down to the beach when something hit my head, knocking it forward and flipping my hat off. I had my sunglasses on because I hate changing glasses while fishing. I could see something fly away but really wasn’t sure what it was. I assume an owl but didn’t get a great look at it as it was still kind of dark.
That was a first for me and my big melon.
SF
If you weren’t fully awake before, I suspect that you were after that encounter. Some fishers will do anything to protect their turf.No pics but had an interesting encounter this morning. It was about 6:15. I had heard some owls while I was putting on my waders.
I was walking under some trees down to the beach when something hit my head, knocking it forward and flipping my hat off. I had my sunglasses on because I hate changing glasses while fishing. I could see something fly away but really wasn’t sure what it was. I assume an owl but didn’t get a great look at it as it was still kind of dark.
That was a first for me and my big melon.
SF
That will catch your attention ! Were the owls deep hooting (great horned) or were they sort of staggered less deep hoot talking/chatting/sometimes pigeon cooing (barred owl)?
Barred owls are pretty notorious for taking hats and giving body taps, but generally never do much damage. If it was a great horned owl you would likely have known it was a serious attack and it probably would have come back for more. I know the biologists I have been around that deal with great horned owls wear hard helmets if around nests.
They can do a pretty good raking of the scalp.