Birds of Prey

This weekend was the Flyway Festival on Mare Island.  Husband and I headed out there about 11am on Sunday.  We didn't do any walks, but look at the various booths, checked out binoculars, and watched a wildlife presentation (Native Bird Connections at www.nativebirds.org) on birds of prey.  I found it fascinating and the women did a great job of bringing information to the audience.  Some of the best questions were asked that I have heard from a show like this.  In fact, one of the owls blessed us with a pellet and another with something a little juicier.  It was helpful to see a red tailed hawk close up after spotting them last weekend on the fly.  But honestly, whooo can ignore an owl.  They are so fowltastic.  So, that will be my bird of the week.  Just look at that expression!  This is how we should approach our politicians - with the attitude that it's about me and you better look out if you don't do your job.

The Eagle Owl was born in Missouri as a captive bred education animal. We received her when she was 7 weeks old, a huge ball of dandelion fluff with gargantuan feet.

Eagle owls are native to Europe and Asia and are considered the largest owls in the world, cousins to the Great Horned owl of North America.

Our Eagle Owl is quite personable. Among other things, she is an enthusiastic bather and will plop into her bath tray on a daily basis. No prissy bath for this girl,either. This is a full-on Journey to the Bottom of the Sea. She dips and flutters, shakes and shimmies till most of the water is spread hither and yon and she is a soggy, dripping, droopy-feather mop. She has also been known to drag other items in with her... toys, towels, even her breakfast!