Fair warning as I briefly interrupt Decembering (and other holiday programming) for a potentially disturbing, decidedly dramatic, still-slightly-unsleuthed-and-open-to-debate “backyard safari”. I present to you a half dozen owl and cottontail photographs captured recently on one of our wildlife cameras.
Although it surprised me a little to see a cottontail rabbit out and about at 2:34am — I had assumed that they were more diurnal than nocturnal — the first three images in the sequence below might not have actually attracted my attention if they weren’t followed by the owl photographs.
I don’t mean to suggest that I’m playing favorites, but our motion-triggered cameras indiscriminately document lots of critters that we routinely edit down. Whitetail deer, for example, as well as gray squirrels, wild turkeys, coyotes, gray foxes, and several familiar human and canine friends. We don’t delete all of them, but there are so many that we’re able to cherry pick.
But the owl photos grabbed my attention. at least, I thought/hoped they were owl photos. I reached out to John Davis for confirmation.
Geo: Did you see the fascinating series of three bird images? I’m wondering if it’s an owl. Further, it almost seems as if it could be an owl attacking the rabbit in the previous frames. Thoughts?
John: Yes, that is a lovely owl, maybe stalking that credulous cottontail. I think it’s a Barred Owl (Great Horned would show bigger ears)… Don’t cottontails look too trusting, given they are good for numerous predators?! Perhaps they model good behavior in parlous times?
Geo: Yes, perhaps modeling exemplary behavior, but unfortunately they illustrate what happens in these owl-eat-cottontail days!
The relationship between the first set of three photographs and the second set of three photographs suggests that the owl may well have swooped down for supper. It’s especially that third and final photograph in the owl sequence that looks to me like it may include both the owl and the cottontail.
What do you think?
What do you think?