In the dog yard, nailed to a large spruce tree above Bozo's house we have a Boreal nesting box. It's been several years since it's been inhabited, but it appears as if we have a nesting pair this spring. I heard the male calling several weeks ago from the box, but I didn't think he was successful in attracting a mate. There have been reports of unexplained Boreal deaths so today I decided to check the box and was completely surprised when this little owl stuck his/her head out. Hopefully there will be enough food around for them to support a little family. In a day or two I'll check the box for eggs.
Looks pretty hip when viewed large.
Tags: Fairbanks Alaska Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus nesting box breeding pair dog lot Being There dr.Ozda
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Shot straight up.
View large
Tags: Fairbanks Alaska Boreal Owl Aegolius funereusn nesting box breeding pair dog lot Being There dr.Ozda you talkin' to me?
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I shot this one today (Sunday) at 53mm with the 18-55kit zoom, I was less than 12 inches from the owl, but the image isn't as nice (I think) as the others which were taken with the Canon EF 70-300 1:4-5.6 IS USM that I couldn't properly describe for Anda before. I am however really amazed at the detail of the feathers about the eye disks.
Also the eye booger is going away, it may be spruce sap. Unless this is the other owl and has a different pattern of grodoo in the same place.
Tags: Fairbanks Alaska Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus nesting box breeding pair doglot Being There dr.Ozda
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Sandy keeps a watch for Mr. Owl from atop Bozo's house.
Tags: Fairbanks Alaska Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus nesting box breeding pair doglot Being There Sandy Bozo dr.Ozda
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I shot this totally blind. Opened the side of the nesting box about 2 inches, stuck in the lens (arms outstretched and over my head, standing on ladder perched on top of Bozo's dog house). I know it was about 2 inches because the lens measures about 2-1/4 and it didn't fit in the cracked opening. The problem is there is a branch in the way that prevents me from opening the side of the box. I might cut that branch or try somehow to tie it up out of the way.
I think this is my first shot of the mate. I need to pay better attention, the female boreals are larger than the males. S/he has a feather stuck to her beak.
Tags: Fairbanks Alaska Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus nesting in nesting box dr.Ozda
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