This owl was hanging out in a tree all day and then before sunset moved to the fence.
It was awe inspiring to spot an owl in the tree outside our bedroom. I spent a great deal of time observing him. He’s a Great Horned Owl and he could spin his head around to look at us.
This was where the owl hung out most of the day. I’m looking out our bedroom sliding glass door.
Then something surprising happened. A battle of the raptors began with Harris Hawks appearing on a tree, then the fence.
The hawks moved from the tree to the fence. Five hawks strategically perched on the fence on both sides of the owl. The owl was surrounded. Talk about intimidation!
The owl gave up and flew away. Harris Hawks for the win.
I looked up owls and hawks and it turns out they are both fierce predators and don’t usually interact with each other. Let’s just say they don’t get along and they like the same prey.
Here are some links if you want to read more details about hawks and owls:
Hawks vs. Owls: A Face-Off Between Two Powerful Birds
https://www.wildbirdscoop.com/hawks-vs-owls.html
Hawk Vs. Owl: 15 Comparisons
https://birdchronicle.com/hawk-vs-owl/
Next time, I’d like to share better, clearer photos! I haven’t used my Nikon since we moved and it’s been tucked away in my closet. I’ll try taking photos with the camera versus my iphone and see which looks better.
So…the owl came back. I took photos with my Nikon and they are dramatically better! However, I’m not able to transfer them from my camera to my laptop or phone. The camera software is not compatible with either. Even after downloading new apps from Nikon, I couldn’t get it to work. I ordered a card reader which according to You Tubers is the easiest method. I’ll share the new photos soon!
This is a video of the last of the Harris Hawks flying off our neighbor’s chimney after they scared away the owl.
Which do you find more fascinating and why? Great Horned Owls or Harris Hawks?
Are you Team Owl or Team Hawk?
I know it’s your home, but it sounds more like The Wickham bird and animal preserve. I hear it’s a happening spot to catch the circle of life in the animal world! Ha ha, love it EA! Good luck with the camera!
We live across the street from a huge nature’s preserve. I’m thinking the wildlife doesn’t know the boundaries. In any case, I’m loving the show. 😊
We have hawks and Great Horn owls, Can’t say I’ve seen them both during the daylight. What a wonderful treat.
I haven’t seen them together or so close before. Pretty amazing.
Brian seems to be on to something EA- your yard is becoming the place for critters of all sorts to hang out! Never seen an owl this close to home. They stay in the forested areas to the east. The hawks are very majestic when they land on my fence but I can’t say I like why they are there- going after the small birds.
The hawks are always hunting. I agree they are majestic but not fun to watch why they are there. We had an owl family for several years in a palm tree at our old home. I missed that. I’m hoping this owl wants to make our tree its new home.
Here in PA, I’ve seen a lot more interaction between different bird species than I have in the past. Nice pictures!
Thanks! It is interesting to see birds interact.
This is like watching a Nat-geo or discovery channel movie. How lucky that you can watch them from your house.
You’re right. That’s what it seems like!
Enjoy the live action 🤩
Thanks!
How wonderful to have an owl! We often have hawks land on our back deck but in all the years we’ve lived here only one owl sighting.
I enjoy watching hawks and owls. We had an owl family living in a palm tree at our old home. I was excited to see one here!
We had a juvenile Cooper’s hawk who was using our bird feeders as a training ground this summer . They’re fascinating to watch…
I love watching hawks. They are usually in pairs soaring around our house hunting.
We have owls and hawks around here and I’ve never seen them get into a turf battle. I didn’t know that was a thing and now wonder why ours live in peaceful harmony. Your photos are amazing.
I have only seen the owl once before so we haven’t had turf wars before. It was fascinating to watch.
I love the owls…and your wildlife observations. So many turf wars…intimidation. Fascinating to watch. Love that you take us along! 🥰😎🥰
I’m glad you enjoyed my birds. I’m so fascinated and I’m really excited with the Nikon pics. What a difference. I’m sharing them tomorrow. Since I took the owl photos, I’ve taken pics with the camera of hawks, quail, a road runner and a cardinal.
We were also warned that we might see more owls after Hurricane Milton. Bring it on! Beautiful.
They are gorgeous. He’s gone today, but I keep looking for him to return. Did they explain why you might see more owls after Milton?
Heavy rains cause them to seek shelter in some odd places including the eaves of houses and other places to burrow. (or perched on man made structures) Also bears, including landslides. This may be more in the Thonotosassa area but we did find a baby bear years ago perched less than a mile from our home in a tree.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing the info.
Now, those are the types of visitors I always love to see! I hope you get your camera working with your computer. I know I struggle with that sometimes. It’s often just easier to use my iPhone, but the pictures aren’t as good.
Yes. I finally figured it out, reading lots online. The photos are so much better, but I agree it’s easier to use the iphone. I always have the iphone on me.
My heart instinctively goes out to the owl. Not that I’ve thought much about the two species – but to be ganged up on 5 to 1. That’s just unfair! Thanks for all the great photos, the story and the info!
Yes, I agree with you on the five to one. A few years ago, I watched a hawk pick up a quail and fly into our casita window breaking double-paned glass! Thankfully the quail got away and the hawk lived.
Very interesting about the owl and hawks’ interaction EA.
And yes, I believe the card should work the best and easiest for downloading images from your Nikon to computer.
Thanks! I got the card reader and it was so easy. Wednesday I’m sharing photos of the owl from the Nikon.
Sounds great EA. I’ll check it out then.
👍🏼
I would have done the same, sat there all day observing their shenanigans! What a wonderful menagerie of animals, birds, and plants you have right outside your window. Facinating. I’m Team Owl. It’s a wisdom thing. Hugs, C
I’m Team Owl too. I can’t help but stare out the windows when I’m supposed to be writing! Wednesday I’m posting the photos from my Nikon. I’m all excited I dusted it off. I leave it out where I can grab it to capture wildlife.
I love owls, so that is so cool! I think I would’ve been happily distracted too. Thanks for sharing your photos! Amazing!
Thanks! I hope you take at my photos from Wednesday “Follow Up Photos.” They are taken with a real camera. I’m excited with the difference from an iphone to using a Nikon with a telephoto lens to capture the owl and hawks.
I’m heading over to check them out now. 🙂
The owl is so cool to see!!
Thank you! He stayed in our tree for a couple days in a row. I’m sad to see him move on. The Harris Hawks bullied him and then we got our trees trimmed. Hopefully he’ll come back.