Burney's Critter Corner: Owls

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Many stories and poems have been written about the wise old owl. After studying owls for many years I have learned that they are equipped with many survival skills and blessed with excellent sight and hearing, but about them being wise, I'm not so sure. I used to daze them temporarily with my headlight that I would wear when out walking at night. Shine the light in their eyes, when you can find one sitting on a fence post, and if you walk very quietly up to them you can catch them by their feet. Don't try this with big owls because they can put a claw almost through your hand! We used to catch them, photograph them and release them but not during nesting season. The face of an owl is designed to face forward like a human, giving the appearance of being wise or intelligent. Their eyes are set in a radar dish shape to reflect all the light possible to their eyes at night and also to funnel sound to their ears directly behind each eye.

We have four owls common to this area: The Great Horned owl, the Barn owl, the Barred owl, and the Little Screech owl. They are very interesting creatures designed by God to live their lives at night. Going out in the woods at night and using a tape recorder to play owl calls can cause some exciting moments. Many times they will call back giving you a hoot or a laugh or even a screech.

Again we see Gods handiwork in providing us wonderful nighttime enjoyment. So get out and enjoy what God has made.

Burney Tompkins

- Uncle Burney

("The Builder" June, 2000)

Burney's Critter Corner

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