Ornithology (Bird) Thread

[stumpstalker]

A Snowy Owls is a formidable opponent.

Here is what an avid bird-bander of raptors from up-State New York, who goes by “Hixie” on another forum, said about Snowy Owls:

“I saw a presentation from Norm Smith of Mass. Audubon society on snowy owls. He has been banding them for three decades during winters at Logan Airport. He told a story of a snowy owl that was perched on the ground and was being dive-bombed by a peregrine falcon. After a while, the owl decided enough was enough and flew off the ground, chased the falcon down in flight, caught it, killed it and took it to the ground and ate it. He also told of these owls doing the same for Canada geese and great blue herons.”


Attached is a photo of one that appeared outside my brother's house this past Winter (maybe a returnee from 2018). They are not afraid of hunting near houses and people; and as with this one, will hang around in these lower 48 States in the Winter if the landscape is suitably tundra-like.

[doglegg]

Cool story and photo Stumpstalker. I have read that they have no fear of people. They certainly are beautiful and fierce birds.

[mrwatch]

an Owl in oils by me.

[mrwatch]

For three years now I assume the same Robin has nested in this bird feeder. Two chicks with eyes still closed.

[Steve Warden]

snowy021919.jpgA Snowy Owls is a formidable opponent.

Here is what an avid bird-bander of raptors from up-State New York, who goes by “Hixie” on another forum, said about Snowy Owls:

“I saw a presentation from Norm Smith of Mass. Audubon society on snowy owls. He has been banding them for three decades during winters at Logan Airport. He told a story of a snowy owl that was perched on the ground and was being dive-bombed by a peregrine falcon. After a while, the owl decided enough was enough and flew off the ground, chased the falcon down in flight, caught it, killed it and took it to the ground and ate it. He also told of these owls doing the same for Canada geese and great blue herons.”


Attached is a photo of one that appeared outside my brother's house this past Winter (maybe a returnee from 2018). They are not afraid of hunting near houses and people; and as with this one, will hang around in these lower 48 States in the Winter if the landscape is suitably tundra-like.

Nice shot and very cool info about the snowy.

an Owl in oils by me.

You display some excellent talent, Sir.

[philco]

How about a few flamingos ? I photographed these last week while visiting Grand Turk.

[bighomer]

Hairy and redbellie came by for a snack.

[doglegg]

Mr Watch, again thank you for sharing your art work. Always excellent. And the photo's of your resident robin. New life is so fragile and so durable! Our God shows his power and wisdom in small things.
Phil, love the flamingos.
BH, wonderful to have your own personal wood peckers. I sure enjoy seeing them. Thanks.

[Quick Steel]

mrwatch, What a fine talent you have. I greatly admire your art and owls are a fine subject.

Am enjoying all the photos, bighomer and Philco.

[Steve Warden]

Hairy and redbellie came by for a snack.

Nice!
That reminds me...I need more suet.

[Steve Warden]

Tom showing off in the neighbor's yard.

[bighomer]

Beautiful photo Steve, I got to see four big Tom's showing off like that last week while driving down the road,couldn't get a picture. The suet ain't lasting long around here seems everybody wants some including coons and treerats who I've declared war on.

[RobesonsRme.com]

I'm with you Homer. I've begun reducing the squirrel and chipmunk population here.

Charlie

[doglegg]

Tom showing off in the neighbor's yard.
20190521_063541.jpg20190521_063513.jpg20190521_063500.jpg

Great pic's Steve. Love to hear them gobble.

[Steve Warden]

Big H and doglegg, thank you both.

[Mumbleypeg]

I used to think squirrels were cute little critters, and good for mulligan stew. We had “squirrel proof” bird feeders, some of which work fairly well. Then several years ago a squirrel chewed a hole in the soffit board under the porch overhang and made a nest in our attic. Like to never got the *&$#@* thing out of there.

“Lead poisoning” is the best cure! But then, I don’t live in the city. BTW they still make good stew.

Ken

[Doc B]

I used to think squirrels were cute little critters, and good for mulligan stew. We had “squirrel proof” bird feeders, some of which work fairly well. Then several years ago a squirrel chewed a hole in the soffit board under the porch overhang and made a nest in our attic. Like to never got the *&$#@* thing out of there.

“Lead poisoning” is the best cure! But then, I don’t live in the city. BTW they still make good stew.

Ken

Or, debone, fry...then brown gravy, over a bed of rice

[Steve Warden]

I've never had squirrel, but I'd try it.

[bighomer]

They can be very destructive, my then neighbor 92 years old and who has since passed , had them get into his attic and chew up some electrical wiring. We declared war on them and between the two of us killed over a hundred. I've killed ten this week, and haven't put a dent in them. Think goodness shotgun shells are cheap. I ate them as a kid and young man but battered and fried with sawmill gravy and cathead biscuits. That's been awhile ago.

[Mumbleypeg]

Battered and fried is good too. Never tried de-boning - just cooked and ate it like fried chicken. Here’s a story I posted a while back. viewtopic.php?f=21&t=43485&p=493609&hil ... ia#p493609

Ken

[Dinadan]

When I was in my teens I loved hunting squirrels and I loved eating them. The best way to cook them, in my opinion, is to fry them just like chicken. Maybe the first sign that I was getting old was when I gave up squirrel hunting.

[MT-Vessel]

Chirpy Purple Martin guarding his condo here at the marina. Largest NA swallow.

[Paladin]

Chirpy Purple Martin guarding his condo here at the marina. Largest NA swallow.

We have Purple Martins here. They come in and raise then head back south. Great fun to watch and very helpful birds.

Ray

[Montanaman]

Great pics, we have a few Bluebirds, Downy Woodpeckers, Evening Grossbeak, Cassins Finch, Black Capped Chickadee's, Grackle's, along with a few Cedar Waxwings coming through. I had seen a hummingbird the other day, still cold and snowy here, which is surprising.

[RobesonsRme.com]

I used to hunt squirrels during the Thanksgiving holiday.

They are good fried, but an older male can be pretty muscled up and tough.

We started making squirrel and dumplings, same recipe as chicken and dumplings.

I have shot seven squirrels and five chipmunks this week with a scoped .177 Stoeger air rifle. We live on a 150’ x 200’ city lot.

Air rifles are not legal here.

Did not clean the squirrels. Wrong time of year and I think I’m done with all that anyway.

Charlie