[mou] Barred Owl treat

[Thomas Maiello]

Here in my new digs of 6 months now in Maple Grove just on the west  
side of West Eagle Lake (south of 694 and a mile east of 494) I sit  
looking out my window at the goldfinches when they suddenly all  
disappear in a hurry.  And then nothing.  Nothing.  Five minutes creep  
by in about an hour and then a silent movement of feathers the size of  
a basketball (Osseo lost to Cooper in my step-daughter's last captain  
of the high school cheerleaders game last night - and so the sports  
analogy).  With amazing smoothness a beautiful Barred Owl lights on a  
branch directly in front of my window about 25 feet away and about 15  
feet up in the tree for easy viewing!  (My office is in the second  
floor just below the height of the perch.)  What a great way to study  
the features of the bird and the uncanny ability to pivot it's head  
towards me with the slightest movement I make other than just turning  
my head.  It doesn't seem to mind me though, just something to check  
out.  With all of the squirrels and soon-to-be chipmunks about I hope  
to see it browse through the delicatessen portion of the yard some  
time and perhaps share the experience with me.  Maybe the feeder  
droppings and the attention given by the rodents with fuzzy tails is  
what attracted this beautiful predator in for my viewing delight.   
Regardless, praise and gratitude to this huddling bird.  Perhaps a  
squirrel might make a misstep and make my day.  With such excellent  
camouflage against the brown, vertically streaked tree trunk, it seems  
likely.


Thomas Maiello
Angel Environmental Management, Inc.
Maple Grove, MN