From Bert Minor

This isn’t a particularly great photo. Everything happened quickly, and I had little time to adjust the camera settings. I was taking photos of the Barred Owl on a tree and after a half hour or so it swooped down and right past me and landed on a tree thirty feet behind me.

I didn’t know what was happening at first, but then I saw this squirrel on the tree and the Owl was going nuts chasing this poor guy round and round the trunk up and down the tree. It’s not every day you get to witness an Owl on the prowl. They don’t usually hunt during the day.

There was a happy ending for the squirrel. It managed to get away. Too bad I was flustered. I could have got an amazing, rare capture. Still–it was a thrill.

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      2 days ago

      I agree. I think it’s perfect. If you see any of the video links I shared in the other comments, this picture captures the exact minute they both know the other one has seen them and that now the battle of wits and agility is on!

  • tigeruppercut
    10·
    2 days ago

    I really wouldn’t have thought owls were agile enough to chase a squirrel around a tree.

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      12·
      2 days ago

      It may be a little different than you are expecting.

      Here is a Great Horned Owl going back and forth with a squirrel.

      Here’s a smaller Screech Owl doing some more hopping style chasing.

      This is a hawk, but this is closest to behavior I’ve observed of the Cooper’s Hawk in my neighborhood hunting birds in trees. The raptor is trying to predict what the prey is going to do and then end up at that spot at the same time, and the prey is trying to trick them, making an opportunity to leave.

      Squirrels are also not always the innocent party. Squirrels will attack the owls and will also eat owl eggs and owl babies. This doesn’t seem to happen as often as the other way around, but it does happen.

      • brbposting@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        Awww that first one

        I had to be 100% team squirrel until they said the owl needs a little more hunting practice :D what lovely caretakers

        • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
          2·
          2 days ago

          That guy really took it personal, slamming his stick in the ground! 😆

          From all I’ve read and the few falconeering people on Lemmy here, it’s a lot of work and dedication to take care of and train these birds. Owls especially. They’ve certainly got a real investment in its happiness and success.

          • brbposting@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            2·
            2 days ago

            Thought he was joining the hunt himself. Might have seen a squirrel on the ground.

            Well, that’s just lovely :)

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      6·
      2 days ago

      Lechuza is a good owl monster!

      I know others also have owl monsters as well. Aboriginal Australians have the Bunyip for example. She screams like a woman or child in danger to lure unsuspecting folk into the woods or swamps where they’re never to be seen again.

      I also know there are some Aztec legends with owls, like the chiquatli.

      Lots of good owl folklore is out there since they’re such great and mysterious creatures of the night! Some people will still kill owls on sight in menu places due to these stories though.