wordsfromanneli

Thoughts, ideas, photos, and stories.

Owly Nights

38 Comments

Stay hidden now, my furry friend,

Be still as you can be,

Though warning sounds that night air rend,

Send chills through you and me.

The great horned owl gets hungry too,

He craves a juicy meal,

Let’s make him think you’re tough to chew,

Your flavour’s no big deal.

Instead he sits up on that branch,

And tries to scare some rat,

Whose face with terror then will blanch,

And that, they say, is that.

You can hear the great horned owl shrieking, trying to scare the rat (or anything that moves). He’s hard to see in the dark, but watch to the end and you’ll hear him screeching back and forth to his girlfriend, telling her to come over and have supper with him.

Turn on your sound. If you click to make the video clip full screen, it will look better.

 

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Author: wordsfromanneli

Writing, travel, photography, nature, more writing....

38 thoughts on “Owly Nights

  1. Lori's avatar

    That’s a spooky sound. It’s so quiet otherwise. It’s never that quiet here.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. John's avatar

    Anneli, your photos and video are beautiful! The owl is so amazing at making its call. The night photo with the water is very beautiful. 😍

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Lynette d'Arty-Cross's avatar

    Your photos are fantastic, especially the third one, and your video of the owl is so great! I’m surprised he didn’t fly away. I so enjoy “your” wildlife, Anneli.

    Liked by 1 person

    • wordsfromanneli's avatar

      I love the wildlife around here too, Lynette. It seems like every day I see some little thing that’s special to me. Having the trees nearby has been a real draw for small animals (and we’ve had bears a few times too, in the past, but I try not to think about that). I’m really pleased that you enjoy seeing my menagerie.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. kagould17's avatar

    Nice poem and photos Anneli. All rodents are right to fear the owl, especially with the fearsome screech. Have a great evening. Allan

    Liked by 2 people

    • wordsfromanneli's avatar

      I found a rabbit’s head below that same fir tree that the owl sat on for the video. They take some good-sized animals. Poor rabbit, but that’s nature. It’s cruel in a way, and yet that owl was probably so happy to eat. Anyway, thanks for the visit and the nice comment, Allan.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. belindagroverphotography's avatar

    They all have to eat but I tend to root for the little guy(s). Sweet shots of the squirrel.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Ursula's avatar

    Beautiful pictures and an outstanding video. You have a lot of wildlife in your yard. I also like your little poem.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Jennie's avatar

    That’s nature. How lucky you are to hear a great horned owl! Best to you, Anneli.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Lauren Scott, Author's avatar

    Cute poem, Anneli, with great photos and awesome video. I love owls, and that is the circle of life. 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

  9. D. Wallace Peach's avatar

    I love the Barred Owls around my house, Anneli, though the squirrels aren’t happy about them. It was fun listening to your Great Horned Owls. And that photo of the moon was magical. 🙂

    Like

  10. TasView (Tone)'s avatar

    Wow! You have a lot of wildlife around you Anneli and loads of patience to capture such a lovely collection of images! I loved your story. We have owls and Tawny Frogmouths here, but the don’t sound anything like your owl, he’d make me jump!

    Liked by 2 people

    • wordsfromanneli's avatar

      I think that’s the idea of the screeching. It makes little mice jump and the owls they can see where they’re hiding. But I do love having all these birds and animals around me. We have a lot of trees and shrubs. It’s not a perfectly clipped manicured lot, but that’s why the animals like it. Lots of places to hide and lots of food.

      Like

  11. Book Club Mom's avatar

    That video was fascinating. I hope your squirrel friend made it through the night!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Jet Eliot's avatar

    Fun ditty about the owl and squirrel, Anneli, and I enjoyed this look at the GHO and the screeching. I would’ve thought the screeching was coming from a screech owl if I hadn’t seen proof in the photo. How lovely to have all of this in your backyard.

    Liked by 1 person

    • wordsfromanneli's avatar

      Yes, I wondered about the screeching too because they usually do the “who-cooks-for-you? whoo?” sound, so I googled a lot of different sound clips on the internet to be sure. And yes, I do love having my menagerie here. Thanks for your visit and nice comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Carol Balawyder's avatar

    Anneli, your photos are great and your poem is so sweet. I loved hearing the screeching of the owl. You are fortunate to have so many interesting companions in your backyard!

    Liked by 1 person

    • wordsfromanneli's avatar

      I agree, Carol, we are so lucky to have these little animals all around us. We’re just outside of town and we still have big trees and shrubs nearby, so the birds and other animals have someplace to hide and to do their daily business, whatever little animals do all day.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. bigskybuckeye's avatar

    In the darkness of night, I’d be joining others in a safe place for an overnight hangout.

    Liked by 1 person

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