Owls on My Mind
Saturday I had the wonderful experience of attending an owl exhibit at our town community center, given by the folks of Eyes on Owls. The husband and wife team of Mark and Marcia Wilson presented a comprehensive look at many of the common owls of North America (with a pair of exotic non-US owls thrown in for good measure).
Attendance was by reservation, but a few lucky stragglers got seated as well. The audience was filled with people of all ages, from babies to senior citizens. The presentation started with a slideshow of magnificent photos taken by Mark, a photographer of international renown. And the slides were breathtaking. Owls, nests, habitats, diet were all covered. We learned that owls do not digest everthing they eat, and their stomachs form pellets which are regurgitated; a sure sign of owl habitation in a tree is the debris of owl pellets below. We also learned that the wingfeathers of the owl, lightly fringed on the edges and velvety soft, are what allow the owl to fly nearly silently.
As each owl was displayed, Marcia demonstrated with amazing accuracy what its call sounded like, and invited audience participation in mimicking each call. I'm sure the owls were entertained--the children in the audience were, as well.
Seven different owls were displayed, and Mark and Marcia were good enough to stroll around the room as they discussed each bird, answering audience questions as we all got wonderful views of the owls up close. While the discussion centered around which birds live on Cape Cod, several of the owls displayed are not common here, so we all got a good close look at some beautiful strangers as well.
And speaking of good close looks...
Eastern Screech Owl
A small owl, common on Cape Cod and across the eastern US; usually nests in boxes or holes.
Saw Whet Owl
This tiny bird is found on the Cape and elsewhere, but is shy and hard to find.
Snowy Owl
This large beautiful owl nests in the Arctic, but can sometimes be found in off-season on Cape Cod beaches (no doubt enjoying the off-season rate!)
Great Horned Owl
Common on Cape as well as throughout the rest of the US and most of Canada; nests on platforms or takes over other raptor nests.
Barred Owl
Not found on Cape, but in other parts of Mass as well as throughout eastern US, up through Canada and to the Pacific Northwest. The owl shown here lost a wing in a collision with an automobile, and has been rehabilitated and has nobly served for educational purposes for nearly eight years.
All the owls presented were disabled in some way and are not able to survive in the wild. They are well cared for by the Wilsons, who have all the necessary permits and certifications. All told, this presentation was a wonderful learning experience, and a great show!
See you by the feeders,
Mrs. CapeCodAlan
Attendance was by reservation, but a few lucky stragglers got seated as well. The audience was filled with people of all ages, from babies to senior citizens. The presentation started with a slideshow of magnificent photos taken by Mark, a photographer of international renown. And the slides were breathtaking. Owls, nests, habitats, diet were all covered. We learned that owls do not digest everthing they eat, and their stomachs form pellets which are regurgitated; a sure sign of owl habitation in a tree is the debris of owl pellets below. We also learned that the wingfeathers of the owl, lightly fringed on the edges and velvety soft, are what allow the owl to fly nearly silently.
As each owl was displayed, Marcia demonstrated with amazing accuracy what its call sounded like, and invited audience participation in mimicking each call. I'm sure the owls were entertained--the children in the audience were, as well.
Seven different owls were displayed, and Mark and Marcia were good enough to stroll around the room as they discussed each bird, answering audience questions as we all got wonderful views of the owls up close. While the discussion centered around which birds live on Cape Cod, several of the owls displayed are not common here, so we all got a good close look at some beautiful strangers as well.
And speaking of good close looks...
Eastern Screech Owl
A small owl, common on Cape Cod and across the eastern US; usually nests in boxes or holes.
Saw Whet Owl
This tiny bird is found on the Cape and elsewhere, but is shy and hard to find.
Snowy Owl
This large beautiful owl nests in the Arctic, but can sometimes be found in off-season on Cape Cod beaches (no doubt enjoying the off-season rate!)
Great Horned Owl
Common on Cape as well as throughout the rest of the US and most of Canada; nests on platforms or takes over other raptor nests.
Barred Owl
Not found on Cape, but in other parts of Mass as well as throughout eastern US, up through Canada and to the Pacific Northwest. The owl shown here lost a wing in a collision with an automobile, and has been rehabilitated and has nobly served for educational purposes for nearly eight years.
All the owls presented were disabled in some way and are not able to survive in the wild. They are well cared for by the Wilsons, who have all the necessary permits and certifications. All told, this presentation was a wonderful learning experience, and a great show!
See you by the feeders,
Mrs. CapeCodAlan
Comments
Excellent post! Great images!
Loved your post!!!
Posted by: kathryn | March 5, 2007 11:29 PM
And the pictures are ones that you took, Mrs.CCA, aren't they? I think you got some great ones!
Posted by: Joanne | March 8, 2007 4:02 AM