Screech Owls Call and Brave Men Shiver

There is nothing quite like a first night in the woods at night, the fire dying down and the sleeping bag pulled up far enough to cover most of your face. You have heard sounds in the dark, in the woods around you but you know it is ok.  Everyone said it would be ok and nothing is going to get you.  Still, as you start to pass into sleep vaguely conscious of the woodsy noises, a sound cries out like a ghost.  It doesn’t take long to sit straight up in a sleeping bag when you are motivated..  Going back to sleep will take much longer.

If you only knew how tiny the creature is whose voice made your heart beat rapidly and put chill bumps on your arms…next time you will know.  Next time you will lay back and find deep peace and awe in the stars so bright.  That voice will again break the silence and you will smile, wondering how close or how far is the little screech owl.  You will feel special for having heard it and will listen for the owl to call again.

Hear the voice of an Eastern Screech Owl, the owl heroes of this post:  Cornell Labs, Screech Owl Call 

The brown owl shown here on the glove is Peanut, a 4 year old Eastern Screech Owl.  Peanut is an adult and full sized.  The photo was shot during an educational program for a group of school teachers, most of whom have not seen an owl up close if at all.  You see, the Eastern Screech Owl is not large but you can be guaranteed these birds have large voices.

This owl is named Sly and despite being gray in color is also an Eastern Screech Owl.  The owls come in both brown and gray colors.  What is Shy doing? Sly is hiding.  The owls are safer if larger predators and people do not see them.  One method of disguise is to straighten up like a stick and stand among the branches and foliage.  Sly is against a tree trunk but still blends in enough for you to see how the disguise works. 

 

Both Peanut and Sly are at the raptor center because they have bad eyesight.  Sly is blind in one eye likely from an injury and Peanut has limited vision.  We are not sure how well Peanut can see but we do know he keeps his eyes wide open when awake.  An owl on the prowl at night would have such wide eyes but it is not normal for daylight periods.   Both of these little owls are sweeties.  They have fine homes and are healthy and well situated.  Both are real heroes in educational programs.  Peanut would normally be in comfortable shadow on the perch rather than this light needed for the photo to be taken.

The next bird to be featured is a young Red-tailed Hawk.  His (her?) tail feathers are not yet the rusty red of the adult and eye color is light.  This hawk is a beautiful bird, being trained to take part in programs.  I will post on other things or musings of the mind a few times prior to putting the young hawk on this blog. When that time comes, you will agree this is a beautiful and elegant raptor.