Podcasts about Great horned owl

In this heartfelt and insight-packed episode, Hillary Hankey sits down with winter intern Levi Soucek, a wildlife rehabilitator, educator, and outreach coordinator at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. Levi reflects on her transformative 12-week internship at the Avian Behavior Ranch, sharing how hands-on progressive training experiences reshaped not only her approach to ambassador bird care—but also reignited her passion for the work. We explore: What it means to truly train with positive reinforcement (beyond the buzzwords) The power of choice-based training and offering degrees of freedom Levi's “aha” moments while working with challenging birds like a Great Horned Owl and Andean Condor How foundational concepts finally clicked in real time Practical takeaways she's bringing back to her rehab center—from training strategy to team communication This episode is also a reflection on team dynamics, mentorship, emotional labor in animal care, and what it means to feel valued and connected in your work. Whether you're a rehabber, falconer, educator, or companion parrot trainer, Levi's story will leave you inspired, informed, and energized to take your own training to the next level. You, too, can become a member of the Avian Behavior Lab. Start off with a free 14 day trial with coupon code AVIAN

High in a leafless cottonwood, a female Great Horned Owl incubates two eggs. As light snow falls on her back, her mate roosts nearby. Since December, this pair has been hooting back and forth regularly at night. Great Horned Owls nest in winter, because the owlets, which hatch after a month of incubation, must remain near their parents a long time compared to many other birds — right through summer and into early fall.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. 

Great Horned Owls have a lot to say! When a pair of Great Horned Owls calls in a duet, the female usually hoots first, and the male replies at a lower pitch. Great Horned Owls may also pierce the darkness with an eerie shriek, which may signal a hungry owlet begging for food or a female defending its nest. They can also hiss, pop, meow, coo, and snap their bills. So have a listen after dark. There may be a Great Horned Owl in your neighborhood!More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. 

A Great horned owl that smells of skunk is spending some time at the Atlantic Wildlife Institute. The bird was admitted last week, and it seems the stink is the least of its worries. Pam Novak tells us about it.

I told you "Owl" be back with some more facts!

Some owls, like Barred Owls and Great Horned Owls, live in the city. As hunters, they find a lot to eat in the city — like rats or squirrels! Both favor urban parks, cemeteries, and botanical gardens — places with big trees — and both roost during the day. The Great Horned Owl, like this one, might appear like an enormous housecat sitting upright. The Barred Owl often perches down low, where it's easy to spot.BirdNote is supported by American Bird Conservancy, dedicated to conserving wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Learn more at abcbirds.org.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Compared to many birds, Great Horned Owls remain with their parents a long time. They hatched in early March, from eggs laid in late January. By April, both parents were hunting through the night to feed their young. But for the last two weeks, the adults have not fed the young. The owlets have learned the skills they need to hunt for themselves. And any night now, the young owls will strike out on their own.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

In this episode, we chat about A Butterfly Garden of Growth at Johnsonburg Camp & Retreat Center in New Jersey, which hosted a Comfort Zone Camp in partnership with A Little Hope Foundation to support kids who lost a loved one to suicide.We review nectar and host plants important to butterflies and why Butterfly Bush is not ideal. Then, end with a reflection of the Butterfly Effect-- the interconnectedness of our world. May we all live our lives knowing that we make a difference no matter what season of life we are in. Thanks for tuning in. Links to related Episodes and Blog Posts:  Ep.116 - Great Horned Owl meets Hawk  A Butterfly Garden of Growth – Blog Post Goldenrod's Bad Reputation– Blog Post          8888I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer                                        AskMaryStone.comMore about the Podcast and Column: Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries. It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about. Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.comDirect Link to Podcast Page

Have you ever considered plantain, the flat-leaved weed that invades your lawn, a beneficial plant? It is, as are my favorite dandelions.In this episode, we chat about the benefits of both and I share Koleen Garland's hilarious childhood memory of making dandelion wine sure to entertain. I hope you enjoy the story.Related Stories and Helpful Links:  Benefits of Plantain & Dandelion "Weeds" – Blog Post Great-Horned Owl meets Hawk -Blog Post Ep.116 - Great Horned Owl meets Hawk 8888I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. Thanks so much for tuning in. You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer                                        AskMaryStone.comMore about the Podcast and Column: Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries. It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about. Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.comDirect Link to Podcast Page

For our first episode of the BoA podcast, we explore Alberta's special relationship with our provincial bird, the Great-horned Owl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are a number of owls you might hear in the province at this time of year. Alain Clavette joins us now with a bit of a primer on tell your Great Horned Owl songs from your Saw Whets.

When Great Horned Owl eggs hatch, the downy owlets are the size of newborn chickens. Their mother broods them day and night. A few weeks later, the owlets can be left alone while both adults resume hunting at twilight. Great Horned Owl young remain in the nest for about six weeks, then climb out onto nearby branches. They begin taking short flights at seven weeks, and can fly well at 9-10 weeks.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Great Horned Owls: Hiding in Plain Sight The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series Welcome, listeners, to another captivating episode of The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on radio and podcast. Today, we journey into the heart of urban wilderness to unveil a story of majesty, mystery, and survival. Imagine a top-of-the-food-chain predator, not the bear or mountain lion you might expect, but a creature equally formidable and far closer to home. We're talking about the Great Horned Owl, a silent guardian of the night skies, thriving in every state but Hawaii, across diverse habitats from dense forests to our very own backyards. Our special guest, Smithsonian Associate Mark H.X. Glenshaw, an award-winning naturalist, has dedicated over 17 years to observing these magnificent birds. His focus? A particular group of Great Horned Owls in St. Louis's Forest Park, and one owl in particular named Charles. Mark's work is not just a study; it's a testament to the bond formed between humans and owls, offering deep insights into their complex world.  Mark Glenshaw will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up, so please check out our show notes for more on Mark Glenshaw and his full presentation at Smithsonian Associates. But we have Mark Glenshaw today to tell us briefly, as a tease of his upcoming presentation, and through Mark's eyes, we'll explore the silent flight, nocturnal habits, and familial bonds of these owls. Mark Glennshaw tells us today about his journey, and what it reveals not just the science but the soul of these incredible creatures. With audio clips, photos, and videos, we're brought face-to-face with nature's profound beauty and the intricacies of owl behavior. This episode is more than an exploration; it's an invitation to look beyond the familiar and discover the extraordinary lives unfolding silently around us. Join us as we delve into the world of the Great Horned Owl with Mark Glenshaw, uncovering the wonders of wildlife that share our neighborhoods. Prepare to be enthralled, enlightened, and inspired. This is The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series, where every story brings us closer to the marvels of the natural world. Let's begin. My thanks to Smithsonian Associate Mark Glenshaw for his time today and wonderful preparation!  Mark Glenshaw will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up, so please check out our show notes for more on Mark Glenshaw and his full presentation at Smithsonian Associates.  My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show.  My thanks to you, our fantastic audience here on radio and podcast…be well, be safe and Let's Talk About Better™ The Not Old Better Show Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on radio and podcast.  Thanks everybody and we'll see you next time.  For more details, please click here:  https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/great-horned-owls

Great Horned Owls excel at nocturnal hunting, thanks to their acute senses and stealth — but their feet let them secure squirming prey. The outermost of their four toes can rotate forward or backward, an advantage that most other birds of prey lack, letting them capture animals as large as raccoons. A four-pound owl can take flight with six pounds of prey.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

When Arwen the Great Horned Owl gets stuck in a barn during a storm. The townspeople, who have never seen one of her kind, believe she is a monster and has made the barn her home. Will Arwen escape the barn and make it back to the forest?

The 22-inch Great Horned Owl has two tufts of feathers that stick up from the top of its head. This owl is difficult to see, but it's often heard during dark winter evenings and pre-dawn mornings. A pair of owls may call back and forth or overlap their hoots. The male's call is slightly lower in pitch. Listen for the owl's night-time refrain, "Who's awake? Me, too."More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

November is the month of owls, at least for me anyway. I currently am reading a book about owls and am looking forward to the end of the month for an owl prowl at the county park. Today, we read the story “Why Mr. Great Horned Owl Hatched the Eggs” from the book “Among the Forest People” written by Clara Dillingham Pierson.   Website: http://www.thefightingmoose.com/   Blog https://thefightingmoosepodcast.blogspot.com/   iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fighting-moose/id1324413606?mt=2/   Story (PDF): http://ww.thefightingmoose.com/episode365.pdf   Reading List: http://www.thefightingmoose.com/readinglist.pdf   YouTube: https://youtu.be/If3kOx4vK2M/   Book(s): “Among the Forest People” http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34971   Music/Audio: Artist – Analog by Nature http://dig.ccmixter.org/people/cdk   National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): http://www.nasa.gov   Song(s) Used: cdk - Sunday by Analog By Nature (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/cdk/53755  

Welcome to a special Halloween themed episode featuring Owls. Please remember not to harass owls. We listen to Great Horned Owl (4m11s), Long Eared Owl (5m42s), Barred Owl (8m44s) Western Screech-Owl (10m6s) Northern Pygmy-Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl (11m35s).    More information about Long Eared Owl https://partnersinflight.org/species/long-eared-owl/  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BirdingByEarPodcast/ Podcase website: https://birdingbyearpodcast.podbean.com/   Have a great spooky month and I will see in December and then spring.  

Charles the great horned owl lost both his mate and their eggs in December. It was tough news for Mark H. X. Glenshaw, the naturalist who has documented Charles' life for 17 years. However, things are now looking up for Charles. Glenshaw shares the details in this encore “owl prowl” edition of the show.

In children's books, cartoons, and in a variety of advertisements, the great horned owl is seen as a symbol of wisdom and education. It is also known as the tiger or hoot owl, and is an extremely adaptable large owl native to both North and South Americans. Its wingspan can be as large as five feet, and it doesn't have horns, but actually tufts of feathers that look like horns. Great Horned Owl symbolism is the ability to connect to the heavens and access psychic abilities, a connection as soft as a breeze, a whisper in the wind. Like all owls this owl makes almost no sound when flying. The strength and courage of the great horned owl relates to the warrior archetype, a fierce defender and very loyal. It takes about 29 pounds of force to open the crushing talents of a great horned owl. You could compare this to a mere 6.6 pounds for a barn hour. So, strength, courage, loyalty, stealth, psychic abilities, and connections to the heavens. It could also be symbolic of death, not just physical death, but death of a relationship or death of a project. During times of appeal and stress, the great horned owl can symbolize understanding patient truth and wisdom. All as a guidance. People often see owls when they are indecisive as a sign that it's time to make a decision and trust it. They bring hope, optimism and faith beneath their wings.So call in the great horned owl for wisdom, insight, strength, courage, loyalty, psychic abilities, and connection to the heavens. Call on the owl spirit. “Call IT in With Dar!”Support the show

A captivating new album from the extraordinary talents of Edward Cowie, a true master of multiple disciplines. This remarkable polymath, renowned as a composer, visual artist, and natural scientist, has gifted us his exhilarating third epic cycle of 'bird portraits' - a thrilling 24-movement composition for clarinet(s) and piano.TracksCD 1Book 1 American Fish Crow (4:30) Wood Thrush (3:03) Eastern Meadowlark (4:05) Common Loon (4:25) Belted Kingfisher (3:15) American Winter Wren (3:54) Book 2 Broad-tailed and Blue-throated Hummingbirds (3:11) White-winged Dove (3:50) Common Nighthawk (4:39) Greater Roadrunner (2:09) Least Bittern (3:48) Great Horned Owl (2:38) CD 2Book 3 Blue Jay (2:28) Mockingbird (3:55) Yellow Crowned Night Heron (3:46) Northern Goshawk (3:11) Say's Phoebe (4:09) Red Winged Blackbird (3:23) Book 4 Northern Cardinal (5:22) Virginia Rail (3:00) Turkey Vultures (4:20) Yellow-breasted Chat (3:25) Horned Lark (5:53) Bald Eagle (5:31) Help support our show by purchasing this album  at:Downloads (classicalmusicdiscoveries.store) Classical Music Discoveries is sponsored by Uber and Apple Classical. @CMDHedgecock#ClassicalMusicDiscoveries #KeepClassicalMusicAlive#CMDGrandOperaCompanyofVenice #CMDParisPhilharmonicinOrléans#CMDGermanOperaCompanyofBerlin#CMDGrandOperaCompanyofBarcelonaSpain#ClassicalMusicLivesOn#Uber#AppleClassical Please consider supporting our show, thank you!Donate (classicalmusicdiscoveries.store) staff@classicalmusicdiscoveries.comThis album is broadcast with the permission of Sean Dacy from Rosebrook Media.

Karla Bloem, Executive Director of the International Owl Center in Houston, Minnesota, and Hillary have a fascinating conversation about owl vocalizations and Karla's journey with Great Horned Owl behavior. They discuss owl behavior observation influences, species differences, reinforcement strategies and all things owl. This conversation will fascinate any professional or amateur owl enthusiast. If you have yet to take one of our free challenges or just want awesome bird information, sign up for our newsletter. For more information on ABI's Advanced Animal Behavior Workshop, check out our few spots left here. For the International Owl Center Conference, you can get information here. Sign up for their awesome newsletter here.

Hey There Nature Nerds! This week Jen talks all things owls, starting with the infamous staircase and owl theory! Keep an eye on the skies and enjoy! Organization to Support: Owl Research Institute htps://www.owlresearchinstitute.org/ The owl research institute is a small non-profit based out of Montana. They conduct long-term research on owls, their prey species, and their relationship to the habitat in which they live. They use these data to help maintain viable populations. Additionally, they collaborate on strategic projects; educate the public about owls; and provide research data to land management agencies and conservation partners. Also check out the American Bird Conservancy page. Links: htps://www.vulture.com/2018/06/the-staircase-neflix-owl-theory explained.html htps://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/famous-murders/michael peterson/ htps://www.audubon.org/news/was-owl-real-culprit-peterson-murder mystery htps://www.audubon.org/news/no-barred-owls-are-not-trying-kill-you htps://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2015/12/22/return owlcapone-two-atacks-reported/77760094/ htps://www.npr.org/2022/11/02/1133260919/an-owl-twice-atacked-a washington-woman-a-biologist-says-its-becoming-more-comm htps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/owl-atack-killarney-provincial park-1.6786893 htps://www.worldatlas.com/articles/10-fascinating-facts-about-owls-not many-people-know.html htps://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/what-are-owl-pellets/ htps://abcbirds.org/birds/ htps://facts.net/owl-facts/

Not all owls live in the deep woods. Many Great Horned Owls make their homes in urban areas. Though mostly nocturnal, Great Horned Owls are also active early in the morning and just after sunset, offering a chance to see them hunting for rodents and other prey. Look for their distinctive horns, which are really just feather tufts. At night, you might hear their deep, syncopated hoots echoing through the neighborhood. Avoiding toxic rodenticides helps protect Great Horned Owls and other urban raptors.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Summary: “You eat like a bird!” We're sure you've heard this before and may have even said it, but if you knew what we know, you'd probably never say it again! Join Cheryl and Kiersten as they talk about some of the strange things birds eat!   For our hearing impaired listeners, a transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean.   Show Notes: “Cassowaries: Crucial to Rainforest Ecology,” The University of Waikato, https:blog.waikato.ac.nz/bioblog/2009/12/cassowaries-crucial-to-rainfor/ www.allaboutbirds.org American Bird Conservancy, https://abcbirds.org Our email address, please reach out with comments, questions, or suggestions:  thefeathereddesert@gmail.com   Cheryl: Intro          Have you ever heard the expression “You eat like a bird.”  What did that really mean?  I personally never got it, but I heard many times.  If the person who coined that phrase really knew what birds ate, I don't think that it would have been said at the dinner table.  Today let's look at the weird things' birds eat and a little about how they do it.          So, there's the Phainopepla that consumes mistletoe berries, and a lot of them; this bird can do this because they have a specialized digestive tract to accommodate this particular berry.  Then there is the American Robin, that changes it digestive system to be able to adjust to the transition from protein-rich invertebrates in spring and summer to fruits and berries in winter.          Kiersten:  Worm-Eating Warbler This warbler is small, rather drab in color with a black and buffy head stripes on its flat head.  This flat head helps it to get into all the nooks and crannies of the forest floor where it consumes caterpillars and slugs, insect larvae but not earth worms like the name suggest.  This warbler has a beautiful song that helps it live up to the warbler part of its name even if its drab in color.          Cheryl: Shore birds and Sapsuckers          Birds like the Black-necked Stilt, and the American Avocet are shore birds that eat mollusks such as clams, oysters, snails, and slugs found in the muddy water along the edges of creeks, rivers, lakes, ponds and irrigated fields and agricultural fields.          Then there are birds that feed on the mucus of plants and trees, namely sap.  These birds are woodpeckers, waxwings, kinglets, and warblers which all have a component of sap/mucus in their diet.          Kiersten: Red-tail Hawk and Great Horned Owl          Rattlesnakes and Red-tail hawks, two very capable predators, but if an adult red-tail hawk locates a rattlesnake out in the open, it's a dead snake crawling.  Rattlesnakes are a favorite meal for this hawk.   Red-tail hawk doesn't sneak up on a rattlesnake, if it did that it would actually give the rattler the advantage.  Instead, the hawk flies down and perches right in front of the snake.  There by taking the lead in what is often called the “dance of death.” The hawk will fan out its feathers, exhibiting its 5 ft wing span. In response, the rattlesnake will rattle it's tail in a warning, and will puff up to look bigger and more formidable. This might work. If not, the hawk will then hop or walk around, essentially trying to divert the snake's attention. This will likely trigger the rattlesnake to snap open its mouth and display it 5-7” long fangs, and with the coiling motion, it will lunge forward. Then the hawk hops onto the snake and end the snake's life. Red-tail hawks don't eat the head of the snake therefore avoiding ingesting any venom. Great Horned Owls have excellent night vision and a poor sense of smell, which helps it deal with one of its favorite meals- skunk.  So, when you are out in the wilds of Great Horned Owl habitat and you smell skunk, but don't see one you could be in the area of a Great Horned Owl nest. Cheryl: Scott's Oriole and Western Tanager and the Cassowary          Scott's Oriole is a fruit eater, not only do these birds eat dagger cactus fruit, but also cultivated fruits such as apricots, peaches and figs.  The Western Tanager lives off of insects such as bees and wasps in the spring and summer.  Then in the winter months it will enjoy berries…all kinds like hawthorn, wild cherries, elderberries, blackberries, mulberries and service berries.          All the above-mentioned birds may be found in our state of Arizona, but there is one fruit eater that lives in Australia and Papua New Guinea, the Cassowary.  This bird is the third largest bird in the world with an adult standing up to six feet tall.  These birds live in the rainforests and are considered keystone species because of their role as a major seed dispenser of up to 238 rainforest plant species.  Over a 100 of these plants' species depend entirely on Cassowaries to dispense their seeds.          In some cases, cassowaries are the only bird to be able to digest the fruit of certain plants such as the Cassowary Plum.  This fruit contains a sap that is poisonous to humans and most other animals.          The Cassowary's unique digestive system which is short and fast,  to digest the fruit.  The Cassowary plum is an important food source for the Cassowary, and in turn the bird than distributes and helps germinate the seeds of the plant. Cheryl: Closing          Now doesn't this make you think twice about that old expression” You eat like bird”.  Really do you?    

This is Episode 79. It's all about the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).This is one of North America's most common raptors. We find these birds from sea to shining sea across the continent.The Redtail is a generalist predator. It can eat many kinds of prey and thrive in a broad range of habitats. Besides seeing these birds along the highway, you're likely to spot a Red-tailed Hawk circling in the sky over a field, soaring or flapping slowly.In this episode, I cover the key traits of the Red-tailed Hawk, it's diet, and its breeding behaviors. Links of InterestRed-tailed Hawk ProjectRed-tailed Hawk “kiting” [VIDEO]Red-tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl fight over a nest [VIDEO]Pale Male, the Famous Central Park Hawk, Is Dead at 32. Maybe.  ~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show

We all know the Great Horned Owl, you can close your eyes and picture it. Hear what experts John Bates and Shannon Hackett have to say about these amazing birds as they discuss them with RJ and Amanda. Although beautiful and majestic, these birds are vicious predators. We also answer one of our listener questions about what a species is, and why that matters. This opens up some really interesting discussion. Enjoy!Email us at podcast.birdsofafeather@gmail.com Follow us on instagram for pictures of the birds that we discuss: @birds_of_a_feather_podcastThanks for listening!!!

We start the episode with a fascinating follow-up of last week's (Ep 116) Owl and Hawk story – witnessing a rat snake snagged by a hawk. Leeding to the wisdom of not tampering with nature despite the biggest garden dilemma - Darn Deer. We chat about Non-stinky Deer Deterrents to spare your gardens and why feeding deer is detrimental.  And wrap up with Eastern Rat Snakes' remarkable hunting and predator avoidance techniques. Related Stories and Helpful Links        Non-Stinky Deer Deterrents                   Feeding Deer Promotes Disease Link to last week's story Great-Horned Owl meets HawkCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report of Occurrence of  Chronic Wasting Disease.                                                                     8888I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. Thanks so much for tuning in.You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStoneEpisode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast PageThank you for sharing the Garden of Life,Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer                 AskMaryStone.com More about the Podcast and Column: Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries. It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about. Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.comDirect Link to Podcast Page

Around this time of year, many baby birds are begging their parents for food. A Hairy Woodpecker chick calls from its nest carved deep within a dying tree. A Great Horned Owl juvenile reminds his parents "Hey! I'm over here! Feed me!" Moving from forest to water, we find this American Coot chick hoping to be fed by its parent.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

What looked like clusters of rusty brown leaves were remnants of our resident Red-shouldered Hawk—a heavy heart. The likely culprit is a Great-horned Owl.  We chat about the behavior, history, and legends of Red-shouldered Hawks and Great-horned Owls and how they benefit the garden, including a humorous bit about a skunk family that took up residence in a client's basement. Related Stories and Helpful Links Great-Horned Owl meets HawkVisions of the Red-shouldered Hawk The Cornell Labs All About Birds: The Great Horned Owl and Red-shouldered Hawk                                                                    8888I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. Thanks so much for tuning in.You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStoneEpisode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast PageThank you for sharing the Garden of Life,Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer                AskMaryStone.com More about the Podcast and Column: Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries. It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about. Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.comDirect Link to Podcast Page

It's always cool to see wildlife on your travels. It's always cool when you can relate that wildlife to animal friends. Today, we read about our friend Billy Woodchuck with the story “The Great Horned Owl” from the book “The Tale of Billy Woodchuck” written by Arthur Scott Bailey.   Website: http://www.thefightingmoose.com/   Blog https://thefightingmoosepodcast.blogspot.com/   iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fighting-moose/id1324413606?mt=2/   Story (PDF): http://ww.thefightingmoose.com/episode342.pdf   Reading List: http://www.thefightingmoose.com/readinglist.pdf   YouTube: https://youtu.be/n53qXEBA1C4/   Book(s): “The Tale of Billy Woodchuck” http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25090   Music/Audio: Artist – grapes http://beta.ccmixter.org/people/grapes http://www.facebook.com/grapes510   National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): http://www.nasa.gov   Song(s) Used: I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/grapes/16626 Ft: J Lang, Morusque

This was recorded early on a clear spring morning in the forest near White Deer Lake in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Siskiyou County, California. The recording starts about an hour before sunrise as the birds were just beginning to sing, and the frogs were winding down their nighttime chorus. You'll hear many different birds on this recording including Great Horned Owl, American Robin, Hammond's Flycatcher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Mountain Chickadee, Cassin's Vireo, Western Tanager, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hermit Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch and more. One sound I was particularly happy to capture is the booming wing sound of the Common Nighthawk, which is made by males as they dive at females during courtship. Help this podcast get made by making a donation, becoming a Patreon supporter, or becoming a monthly supporter through Spotify Podcasting. You can do so by visiting the following links- https://soundbynaturepodcast.com/donations/ https://www.patreon.com/soundbynaturepodcast You can become a monthly supporter at Spotify Podcasting by clicking the link at the end of this podcast description. Thank you to my current and past monthly supporters, those of you that have made one-time donations, and my three supporters on Patreon. Every bit of your contributions go directly to the production of this podcast. I truly appreciate your help! You can see pictures of the area this was recorded, as well as pictures from other locations I have gathered recordings, by visiting the Instagram and Facebook pages for the podcast. You can find them by searching @soundbynaturepodcast. Questions or comments? Send me a message on Facebook or Instagram, or email me at soundbynaturepodcast@gmail.com I really hope you enjoy this recording. Thank you very much for listening. Stay healthy, stay safe, stay sound. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundbynature/support

This Great Horned Owlet - about 2-1/2 months old and already as big as its parents - is quite well feathered, although its underparts remain downy. Its wing and tail feathers are developing nicely, and it has begun to make short flights. By mid-May, the owlet still relies almost entirely on its parents for food, and will stay with the family for months to come.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Charles the great horned owl lost both his mate and their eggs in December. It was tough news for Mark H. X. Glenshaw, the naturalist who has documented Charles' life for 17 years. However, things are now looking up for Charles. Glenshaw shares the details in a special “owl prowl” edition of the show.

On today's very special Long Island Tea episode, Kristen and Sharon are at Port Salt Cave in the beautiful downtown Port Washington. This hidden gem uses state of the art technology, a monitored therapeutic microclimate, and salt imported from Poland. The calming and detoxifying effects of Salt therapy support the immune system, reduces stress, increases energy, and improves skin conditions, arthritis, and respiratory conditions. The ladies also share their experiences spending the day in Port Washington and Manhasset, enjoying a lunch at Cippolini. Plus they talk about some of the other amazing places to visit in the Port Washington area, making it the perfect weekend getaway. Port Washington is just minutes from New York City, rich in history with its beautiful Gold Coast mansions, and picturesque views of the marina. And to honor Women's History Month, Port Salt Cave is a woman-owned business, owned and operated by Sue Sullivan, who is extremely knowledgeable on the benefits of Halotherapy (salt therapy) Today's Wine of the Week is from RGNY, another woman-owned business on Long Island led by CEO by Maria Rivero González. The Wine is Wild Fermented Rosé. The ladies close the show with some “CelebriTEA,” from the Oscars to Chris Rock's Netflix special and more. Plus, why everyone should watch out for coyotes. #LONGISLANDLIFE:Port Salt Cave:portsaltcave.com/@portsaltcave on Instagram and TwitterAlso mentioned in this episode The Art Guild of Port Washington theartguild.org Landmark on Main Street landmarkonmainstreet.org The Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District portwashingtonbid.org Fathoms Hotel & Marina fathomshotel.com Sands Point Preserve sandspointpreserveconservancy.org LI Boat Rentals liboatrentals.comLONG ISLAND EVENTS:3/24: Soul In My Country - The Suffolk - Riverhead 3/24: Frankinatra - Manes Studio Theatre - Lindenhurst 3/24: JUST DANCE- Church at Sag Harbor dance party3/24: Historic Spirits Tour at Raynham Hall Museum - Oyster Bay 3/24: ***ADVENTURELAND OPENING WEEKEND**3/24: California Wine Pairing at Mansion at Glen Cove3/25: Indigenous Crafternoon - Whaling Museum - Cold Spring Harbor3/25-4/16: Sound of Music Opening Night at CM Performing Arts - Oakdale3/25: Women's Leadership Conference - Adelphi University3/25: Paint & Sip with Hooter the Great Horned Owl at Quogue Wildlife Refuge3/25: 80's Arcade & Karaoke Night at Cradle of Aviation - Garden CityTAG US!@DiscoverLongIsland and @LongIslandTeaPodcast and join the conversation!WINE OF THE WEEK:RGNY- Wild Fermented Roséhttps:/rgnywine.comLong Island Tea is sponsored by Long Island Wine Country. Visit https://liwines.comTEA TIME:Check out our Amazon Affiliate link:www.amazon.com/shop/discoverlongislandWATCH US:And SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: DiscoverLongIslandNYFOLLOW US:Follow The Long Island Tea podcast on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @LongIslandTeaPodcastWRITE TO US:Email spillthetea@discoverlongisland.com if you are interested in collabing with us, or just to say “How you doin?”RATE AND REVIEW US:Please leave us a 5 star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, or wherever you're listening now.WEAR US:Shop Long Island gear at shop.discoverlongisland.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Early in April, I had just spied a fox squirrel eating pine seeds from a ground cache when I felt a shadow gliding overhead on silent wings. I looked up yet saw nothing. When I looked back, there was an indistinct gray form, an apparition, in the shadows where the squirrel had been. The apparition turned its head toward me and peered with two large golden eyes. Tufted horns now held erect confirmed it was a Great Horned Owl.

A short yet detailed introduction to the great horned owls.

Summary: Join Cheryl and Kiersten as they continue their discussion of the owls found in Arizona.   For our hearing impaired listeners, a transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean.   Show Notes: www.avibirds.com/owls-of-arizona/   www.a-z-animals.com/blog/true-owls-vs-barn-owls-what-are-the-diffrences/   Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of the Night, by Mark Wilson   Liberty Wildlife: (480)998-5550 2600 E Elmwood St. Phoenix, AZ 85040 https://Libertywildlife.org Background bird song:  Naturescapes Backyard Birds www.naturescapes.com Our email address, please reach out with comments, questions, or suggestions: thefeathereddesert@gmail.com   Transcript   Host Voice: Welcome to The Feathered Desert a podcast all about desert bird feeding in the Southwest region of the United States. (Various bird calls play)   Cheryl: Intro-Welcome to Owls of Arizona part two.  So, it does bears repeating that Arizona with it diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife is home to 13 different species of owl.  In part one we covered only four owls, and we are going to cover the other nine in this podcast, and Kiersten has our first one.   Kiersten: Western Screech Owl A well camouflaged owl with large ear tufts and streaked plumage in a variety of brown or gray.  They are about 7-10 inches in height.  These owls weigh about 3.5-10.8 ounces and have a wingspan 21-25 inches across.  Western Screech Owls occur all across the western states in U.S., and their range extends down into Central America.  They live in forests, open woodlands, deserts, shrublands, and open fields in the countryside.  You may find them in your local park.  They nest in tree holes and in cacti in desert regions.  These non-migratory owls will often reuse nest sites for years.  Western Screech Owls are active from dusk, through the night, into the dawn.  They are opportunistic predators; if they can catch it- they will eat it, but their prey is mainly rodents, birds, and insects.  Deforestation and development are threatening the habitats for these owls.  These owls have a whistling call and a high-pitched screech.  The song of the Western Screech Owl is a series of descending hoots.   Cheryl: Northern Saw-Whet Owl The Northern Saw-Whet owl is one of the smallest and most adorable owls on the continent.  It has a large round head and a compact body.  Its plumage is a rich brown with small white spots on the upper parts and blotchy white streaks below.  The facial disc is paler brown, and it has a white Y-shape from the brows to the bill, between its huge yellow eyes.  This owl is 7-9 inches in height.  It weighs 2.2-5.4 ounces and the wingspan is 17-22 inches across. They inhabit coniferous forests.  During the winter, they also take to deciduous or mixed woodlands.  They nest in tree holes excavated by woodpeckers or in the old nests of other birds.  They are nocturnal owls with exceptional hearing, and can detect prey purely by sound.  Their diet consists mainly of rodents, but will prey on small birds, bats, amphibians, and insects.  May cache mice for the winter. Although, fairly common these owls are hard to spot.  In Arizona, they are more numerous in the winter months as northern populations migrate south.  Listen for their call it is a whistly repetitive toots.   Kiersten: Long -Eared owl The Long-eared owl is named for its prominent ear tufts.  It has a dark, patterned plumage which is a mix of brown, gray and buff.  The underparts are buff with dark brown streaks.  Its facial disc is buff with white in the middle.  It has orange-yellow eyes and a grayish-black bill.  Long-eared owls have a wide distribution across the continent.  Arizona lies within their breeding range.  These owls inhabit forests and woodlands near densely vegetated open areas such as grasslands and shrublands.  They have adapted to semi desert environments where they hunt across dry, open landscapes.   Prey animals for these owls includes cottontail rabbits, red squirrels, bats, small birds, and snakes. In Arizona, you may see these owls nesting in forks or cavities of Saguaro cacti.  This is a shy elusive owl and is not easy to spot.  It is often misidentified as a Great Horned Owl due to the ear tufts.  The National Audubon Society believes this owl is undercounted in its national Christmas bird counts.  Populations of this species of owl are in decline due to habitat loss. Long-eared owls have a wide range of vocalizations that vary by region.  The long-eared owl is silent during the winter but often roost communally, making them easier to spot despite their excellent camouflage.  These owls will also roost on the ground. In Arizona, Long-eared owls may show-up in mass when there are irruptions of mice.   Cheryl: Short-eared Owl Now I put this owl back-to-back with the Long-eared owl because they are often misidentified as each other.  So, the short-eared owl is a medium-size owl about 15-17 inches in height.  It weighs approx. a 1.5 lb. and the wingspan is 38-44 inches across.  It has a rounded head with small ear tufts, hence the name.  Its feathers are mottled brown, buff, and white above and buff below with dark streaks on the breast.  The face is white in the center, with a brown facial disc edged with a pale rim. It's piercing yellow eyes are encircled by dark eye patches.  (Long-eared owls have rusty-orange feathering round the eyes.) These owls occur all across North America, with the majority of the population breeding in the north and migrating south for the winter.  So, in Arizona it would be the winter months that we would have an opportunity to see them. Short-eared owls inhabit large, sparsely vegetated open areas.  They nest on the ground, partially concealed amidst low vegetation.  Unlike other owls, short-eared owls build their own nests.  The female constructs a bowl-shaped nest using grasses, weeds and feathers.  These owls sometimes roost in groups, and on occasion will roost in trees with Long-eared owls. Short-eared owls eat mostly rodents, especially voles, rats and mice.  They also take birds and nestlings.  These owls breed up in the arctic so the birds they prey on are shorebirds and gulls with the occasional crow thrown in. These owls are on the decline mainly due to habitat loss.  Look for them in open fields and grasslands around dawn and dusk in the winter.  Unlike the Long-eared owl, the short-eared owl hunts during the day on the ground or flying low to the ground.  They have a floppy bat-like flight.  The short-eared owl is mostly silent in the winter.  Their common call is a raspy bark.   Kiersten:  Northern Pygmy owl The Northern pygmy owl Is a small, plump owl with a large, round head and a fairly long tail.  It is brown above with white spots and white below with dark brown streaks. As with other pygmy owls, it has eye-spots on the back of the neck which may function to deter predators attacking from behind.  This owl has feathered legs down to the toes.  It is 6-7 inches in height.  It weighs 2.1-2.5 ounces and has a wingspan of 12-15 inches across.  This owl has one of the shortest life spans of just 3 years whether in captivity or not. They are found all across north America and inhabit forest and woodlands.  They nest in tree holes, often excavated by woodpeckers.  Pygmy owls are diurnal, but also hunt at dawn and dusk.  They eat small birds, mammals and insects.  Northern Pygmy Owl is a fierce hunter known to often kill birds and rodents larger than themselves. These owls are prevalent in the eastern part of Arizona, and since they are active during the day that makes them easier to spot then most owls.  Still these owls largely go unnoticed.  Northern Pygmy Owl migrates in some regions from the higher to the lower elevations in the winter. The call of the Northern Pygmy Owl is a high-pitched trill or a one note toot.   Cheryl: Elf Owl This tiny raptor is the smallest member of its family in the world.  It is a small sparrow-sized owl.  The plumage of the elf owl is patterned gray-brown and white.  It has a buff-colored face and large, yellow eyes.  Females are more rusty-red in color, and the males are grayer. Elf Owls are nocturnal and mainly insectivorous, feeding on insects and other invertebrates.  Their prey includes moths, beetles, crickets, and arachnids like scorpions.  They may occasionally take a lizard or a small vertebrate animal.  Many Elf Owls breed in the southwestern U.S. then migrate south to Mexico for the winter where sedentary populations reside.  Elf owls is comfortable in diverse habitats, including mesquite and paloverde trees along desert washes, mountain pine-oak forests, oak forests, and forests along river and canyon bottoms.  They nest in tree holes of hardwoods and often in the Saguaro cacti.  Look for them in our desert around dusk.  Their voice is loud, and their call a high-pitched whiny or throaty chuckle, or a variety of barks, squeaks and whistles.   Kiersten: Burrowing Owl The Burrowing Owl is an owl we have talked about before in an earlier podcast titled” Burrowing Owls”.  The Burrowing Owl is a small, spotted owl with long gray legs.  Its feathers are brown above and pale below with brown streaks.  It has large yellow eyes, hooded by thick, pale brows. The height of this owl is 7-11 inches, its weight is 4.8-8.5 ounces.  It has a wingspan of 20-24 inches across.  Burrowing Owls are different from other raptors because males and females are the same size. Although, they have a wide, variable diet, they mainly prey on insects and rodents. These owls hunt at night and during the day.  Females mostly hunt insects during the day whereas males hunt more at night and catch small animals.  Most Burrowing Owls are sedentary, in their range but those owls that breed in the northern parts of their regions will migrate south during the winter.  They inhabit open grasslands, prairie, and other open areas of golf courses, farm fields, airports, and housing developments.  These owls' nest and roost in burrows usually made by prairie dogs or ground squirrels, or other burrowing mammals. This owl has a defensive strategy to mimic the behavior of rattlesnake's rattling tail.  Burrowing Owls make a rattling or hissing noise to ward off potential threats.  These owls are endangered due to habitat loss and decline of burrowing mammals.  They are often killed by cars and people's pet-cats and dogs.  Burrowing Owls are often active during the day and are fairly tolerant of human presence.  This owl has a large range of smooth-sounding musical notes.   Cheryl: Spotted owl The Mexican spotted Owl is medium-size forest owl.  Its height is 18-19 inches and its weight is 1.1-1.7 lbs.  Its wingspan is 42-45inches across.  This medium-size owl has dark eyes set in a large rounded head with no ear tufts.  It has dark brown feathers with white spots.  The spots on the underparts are oblong, giving it a Barred owl appearance. It has a prominent white x-shape on the face against the brown facial disc.  That being stated there are three subspecies of the Spotted owl: the Northwest Spotted Owl, the California Spotted Owl, and the Mexican Spotted Owl.  The Mexican Spotted Owl is the palest of the three in color.  It is also the one only that calls Arizona home. It must be noted that although the Mexican Spotted owls looks like the Barred owl in appearance the Spotted owl will not be found in any area near barred owls.  Barred owls are highly competitive with Spotted owls.  Barred owls will hunt the Spotted Owl. In Arizona, the Mexican Spotted Owl may be found in Pinyon Pine woodlands and canyons.  They nest in tree holes, abandoned nests of other birds, cliffs and ledges.  These owls hunt mostly at night and occasionally during the day.  They are essentially ambush predators, and typically hunt from a perch, where they wait for prey to draw close enough to launch a surprise attack.  Their prey is mainly woodrats, squirrels, bats, birds, reptiles, insects and amphibians.  Populations of Mexican spotted Owls are in decline due to destruction of habitat due to drought, development and wildfires.  These owls don't dissipate body heat very well so they prefer the cooler temps of southeastern mountain ranges in Arizona.  These owls are classified as threatened.  The Mexican Spotted owl may be tricky to find visually.  Listen for its three-part hoot.   Kiersten: Ferruginous Pygmy Owl The Ferruginous Pygmy owl is critically endangered in the United States and is protected under the Endangered Species Act.  This owl is threatened by habitat loss of Saguaro Cacti.  The eradication of Arizona's cottonwood groves and contiguous Saguaro stands, plus wildfires, drought, and the wall at the state border with Mexico. A small, round-headed owl with a streaked crown.  It has the false eye spots that all pygmy owls display.  The owl has yellow eyes with black pupils.  The tail is banded with rusty-red bars.  It stands about 6-7 inches in height and weighs 1.6-5.6 ounces.  It has a wingspan of 12 inches across. These little owls nest almost exclusively in Saguaro cacti cavities.  They can be found in the Sonoran Desert region among their favorite cacti.  They have a woodpecker -like undulating flight pattern and can be spotted during the day as well as at dawn and dusk. Their prey consists of mice, small birds, scorpions, moths, crickets and grasshoppers. In 2006 researchers documented only 26 individual owls in the wild in the state of Arizona.  Wild at Heart a non-profit group, began a reintroduction program in 2016. Their vocalizing is kept to a minimum to not draw attention to their location. So, others small birds won't mob them and drive them away.  Their call is a quick series of whistled toots. Cheryl: Spotting Owls Spotting owls can be tricky since most species are not active during the day.  Owls by nature are shy and elusive creatures.  Here ae some tips: The best time to see an owl is during the day.  The best time to hear an owl is at night. Learn about the species of owls in the area you are looking. Listen -familiarize yourself with the vocalizations of the different owls in your area.  Actively listen when you are out at night.  You will most likely hear an owl before you see it. Look for signs of owls like their pellets or white washing on trees. Be respectful- Be still and silent and refrain from using bright lights, so as not to disturb or frighten them away. Who knew Owls were so Cool?  Who, who the owls knew.  

A fledgling Great Horned Owl calls to be fed. Judging from the young bird's persistence, the parents seem to be responding only with calls, not with food. These entreaties can go on for weeks. Both parents let the fledgling know that it's time for him to feed himself. They've been bringing voles and rabbits for months. Silence and surprise are keys to the owls' success as hunters, so it's hard to imagine the juvenile Great Horned Owl improving his chances by being so vocal!More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Notes: Heather says, “I love so easily," and “What's next? And I just open up…” and “Silence is a part of the singing.” Trust me, this is a person you'd like to get to know a little better -- how can we all access that kind of love and openness? In our conversation, Heather and I dig into how she actually works with singers privately and in groups, finding the heart voice, ways back in when you've dropped your chanting/meditation practice, why to love humming... and more, including, of course, her favorite soup! Heather shares this beautiful song which warms up the voice and invites us into physical awareness and connection with a released sound.... and her love of the act of singing is contagious. Songwriter Info: Heather Houston is passionate about uplifting hearts, freeing voices, transforming lives, and building strong, loving communities through the power of singing. She spreads her magic through her 20+years of international song circle leading, private vocal coaching, and her online offerings - The Art of Mindful Singing, S.H.E. Sings, Singing as Sanctuary, and Sisters in Harmony Song and Chant Leader Training. You can now join her every Monday night on Zoom for a 2-hour Sisters in Harmony Global community song circle with guest artists! Heather recently released her second solo album, Sisters of the Moon, which features the ethereal voices of her 40-voice women's choir Yala Lati. Her first solo album, Prayers for the Water is a ZMR Top 10 album. You can find Heather's music and her a cappella group SIRENZ on all of the streaming platforms and for download on her website. Links:  Website: https://heatherhoustonmusic.com Albums     Download: https://heatherhoustonmusic.com/recordings/     Streaming on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4gw79r7NGOw6WF2bytPW5a?si=E0mvdKMpQ9ObjpRnhViDYQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherhoustonmusic IG: HeatherHoustonMusic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPr_m3bi0-TqhBFvJlD4pFA ​ Kitka (Balkan music) – women's vocal ensemble in Oakland Kitka Women's Vocal Ensemble Heather's songleader training starting in Jan Sisters in Harmony Song Leader Training – Heather Houston Music Paul Simon Rhythm of the Saints – here's the title track: The Rhythm of the Saints - YouTube Sound of Great Horned Owls -- What does a Great Horned Owl sound like?  Lyndsey Scott -- Well Held | Lyndsey Scott (bandcamp.com) (as well as A Breath of Song episodes #69 & 70) Samantha Keller and Tamar Fogel -- here with Heather as the trio Dis Moi: Dis Moi – Between Us – Heather Houston Music the first song Heather wrote -- Lumin Solare Fiat - Heather Houston (Sirenz) - YouTube Sirenz -- the four voice group of Heather, Samantha, Molly Hartwell and Sage Mendez: Sirenz – Heather Houston Music Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Mixolydian, chant Visit abreathofsong.com for lyrics, more of Patty's artwork, and a way to nominate songs or songwriters for the podcast. Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me. Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!

Summary: Did you know that Arizona is home to 13 different species of owls? Join Cheryl and Kiersten as they talk about these amazing feathered residents.   For our hearing impaired listeners, a transcript of this podcast follows the show notes.   Show Notes: www.avibirds.com/owls-of-arizona/ www.a-z-animals.com/blog/true-owls-vs-barn-owls-what-are-the-diffrences/ Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of the Night, by Mark Wilson   Liberty Wildlife: (480)998-5550 2600 E Elmwood St. Phoenix, AZ 85040 https://Libertywildlife.org Background bird song:  Naturescapes Backyard Birds www.naturescapes.com Our email address, please reach out with comments, questions, or suggestions: thefeathereddesert@gmail.com   Transcript   Host Voice: Welcome to The Feathered Desert a podcast all about desert bird feeding in the Southwest region of the United States. (Various bird calls play)   Cheryl-Intro:  Welcome to The Feathered Desert! Arizona is a haven for birdlife.  It is a state with a multitude of diverse landscapes that range from deserts to conifer forests, to incredibly very different types of landscaped mountain ranges.  It has breathtaking canyons, riparian areas with cottonwoods and willows very much untouched by man.  This landscape diversity supports a very diverse selection of birdlife including (are you ready) thirteen different owls. I was floored! I thought maybe six species but no it's thirteen. That's why it's in two parts.   Kiersten: Few general facts: Owls live in a variety of habitats.  For every type of bird habitat there is an owl that fits into it. Owls are nocturnal raptors, specialized for hunting in the dark, and are equipped with excellent night vision; but there are a few owls that are active during the day. There is always an exception to the rule! To be more specific: Diurnal-by definition diurnal means happening or active during the daytime.  Animals that are diurnal are usually awake and active during the daytime. Burrowing Owls, Short-eared Owls, Snowy Owls Crepuscular-cre-pus-cu-lar: means relating to twilight, referring to animals that are active in the twilight—active at dawn and dusk.  A few of our owls that do that are Northern Pygmy Owl and Ferrugious Pygmy Owl Nocturnal-done, occurring, or active at night. Northern Saw-whet Owl, Barn Owl, Boreal Owl One of my favorite things about owl is that they all have specialized feathers for silent flight.  That mean you will not hear them ehThat being said: the tiny Elf owl is the nosiest when in flight.  That is saying quite a lot. You'll probably just barely hear him as he flies overhead. Which is interesting because it hunts insects, and some insects can hear. It begs the question of why this owl evolved to be a little bit louder than other owls but is so small.   Cheryl: I don't know but I thought it was interesting!   Kiersten: Like most birds, owls have 4 toes on each foot.  2 toes point forward and 2 toes point backward.  However, owls have a special ability -they can swing one of their back toes to the front.  Helps it to grip wiggling prey.  Ospreys, woodpeckers, and parrots can do this as well. Owls have good spatial memory, probably better than us, for sure better than me!   (Cheryl and Kiersten both laugh)   Kiersten:   Owls carry detailed mental maps of their surroundings.  This helps an owl remember where things are and where they left things. Which is super important!   Cheryl: It is because they store food! Who knew?   Kiersten: Yeah! There are 19 species of owls that breed and nest in the United States and Canada.  13 of these species may be found in Arizona!   Cheryl:  So, Owls are split into two family groups. Every time I do research for a podcast I learn so much that I didn't know! The first group is Strigidae-which are true owls and the Tytonidae-the Barn Owls. True Owls VS Barn Owls some of the differences are Physical Appearance:  Many true owl species have ear tufts on their heads covered in feathers.  They have large heads, round facial discs around their eyes.  They have yellow or orange eyes. Barn Owls have a great heart-shaped facial disc.  Presence of long strong legs with powerful talons. Dark eyes and the absence of ear tufts. They have ears but not tufts. Calls:  True owls make hooting calls.  Barn owls don't hoot, rather they make eerie-sounding screams. Habitats:  True owls are found worldwide except in Antarctica. Barn Owls occur everywhere except in the cold temperate, and Arctic regions.  They prefer open places and live away from humans. Kiersten: They are found on every continent!   Cheryl: Behavior:  True owls exhibit nocturnal behaviors and have specialized morphology for their wings. Barn Owls are nocturnal birds. Color:  they have brown or gray vertical markings, and their underbellies are usually white. Barn owls are usually an orange-black color.  Their breasts are white. Hunting Styles:  True Owls are mostly seen by people as tame since they show no movement unless you  are very close to them.  They are ambush predators. Although they are elusive they are relatively not shy towards people.   Kiersten: Yes, but were not saying for you to go up to one because they are not tame! They are just good at their jobs which is to be calm and still and ambush prey or fly away.   Cheryl: Right! Barn Owls are opportunistic hunters.  They fly in open areas gliding across the low grasses locating prey by sound. Lifespan: Ture Owls lifespans very depending on the species, on average these owls have longer lifespans than Barn Owls.  Barn Owls live 5-10 years and that is being generous. They can live longer in captivity.   Kiersten:  The Great Horned Owl- Great Horned Owl is Arizona's largest and most widespread owl.  Known as the “Tiger of the Sky”, the Great Horned Owl is probably the most familiar to our listeners of all the Arizona owls.  We both have them in our yards. This owl has mottled grayish-brown feathers on its wings, head, and body. It has pale cream to white underneath with brown barring, and it has a reddish-brown to gray facial feathers, and a white throat patch. This will all be hard to see in the dark but if you catch them in a flashlight or see them in a tree during the day you might get to see the colors better. Great Horned Owls have long feathers covering their legs and feet. Great horned owls are 17-25 inches in height.   Average weight of an adult is 2.6 – 3.5 lbs.  The females will be larger and heavier. The wingspan of this raptor is on average 3-5 feet across. That's a nice wingspan!   Cheryl: That's also pretty heavy for an owl!   Kiersten: Yep! Great Horned Owls are highly adaptable birds with an incredibly diverse diet comprising of over 200 species of mammals, and 300 species of birds, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians and fish.   Why pick just one thing when you have all this stuff to eat? Why not just eat it all   Cheryl: (laughs) I don't think we missed anything on that list!   Kiersten: The favorite meal of these birds are skunks.  I mean…yeah?   (Both co-hosts laugh)   Cheryl: Well skunks are cute.   Kiersten: They are cute! And the owls keep their population in check. The Great Horned Owl is the only owl to regularly eat skunk. I think they may not have to best sense of smell, if they don't mind eating skunk!   Cheryl: (laughs)   Kiersten: Great Horned Owls do migrate.  They live in their territory their whole lives.  Historically, they were once intensively hunted.  Their feathers a really beautiful and there is always the myth that they eat your sheep, which is completely false. They are not s bog enough bird to do that. But now the biggest threat is indirect poisoning by harmful rodenticides. Which is a terrible shame! For more information on that, please, reference our Rodenticide: A Deadly Decision podcast. Fun Fact:  Great Horned Owls will defend their nests fiercely by hooting, hissing, grunting, and screaming. It is quite terrifying to see! You don't want to encounter this!   Cheryl: They really do impress me. Every time I encounter one or watch them on a webcam.   Kiersten: They really are impressive. These are the ones that have that wise look on theor faces. The one that the phrase wise old owl comes from but…they are not wise. They're great at being owls bt not great problem solvers!   Cheryl: (laughs)   Kiersten: One other thing about the Great Horned Owl. They are definitely one of the owl that have ear tufts. We are not exactly sure why they have ear tufts. Some scientists say it's for checking the changing wind, or they are used to make decisions on the wing but we not entirely sure what they are for. But the tufts are just feathers not ears. They have ears but the feathers that stick up are not their ears.   Cheryl: Sometime I think it's for communication between owls because they can flatten them or hold them up straight. They do things with them if you ever have the opportunity to watch them.   Kiersten: That's a good thought! Owls are solitary hunters, so they could potentially hurt another owl. I don't necessary want to cozy up to my neighbor that might kill me! So maybe they are used to communicate from a distance.   Cheryl :  And with eye color. All 19 different owl species have a different eye color and scientist don't know why! Mabe it's for communication as well.   Kiersten: Maybe!   Cheryl: Barn Owl The Barn Owl is an unusual beauty.  It is a medium sized owl with a heart-shaped face and a characteristic pale speckled plumage.  The upperparts are rusty brown with dark patches.  The face and underparts range from cream to white.  It has slender, feathered legs and long broad wings that enable sharp, agile movements.  This owl is 13-15 inches in height.  It weighs about 1 -1.5 lbs.    Kiersten: The female is definitely a bit bigger. The females need more weight to incubate eggs and more skeletal width to lay eggs, but of all the raptors they have the least difference between male and female.   Cheryl:  Barn Owls wingspan is 31-37 inches across.  Barn Owls occur in the open grasslands, farmlands, open meadows in woodlands and woodland edges. They are nocturnal.  Barn Owls roost or nest in old buildings, barns, silos, steeples, sheds, mine and well shafts, tree cavities, caves and stacks of baled hay.   It is an unmissable bird.  Look out for a flash of white in the open country at night.  Barn Owls has an undulating flight pattern.  They hunt by gliding low above the ground using sight and sound to locate prey.  Barn Owls have asymmetric ears which means one ear is a little higher than the eyes while the opposite one sits a little lower than the eyes.  This helps Barn owls to quickly and accurately locate faint sounds.  The sounds strike each ear at slightly different times. One Barn Owl will eat 8 mice/voles a night.   That's 2,920 rodents a year.     Kiersten: That's good rodent control, right there!   Cheryl: Barn owls have been known to stockpile prey animals, especially, during nesting season.  Barn Owls are typically solitary birds but will live in pairs.  Barn owls are non-violent, altruistic and family-oriented birds.  Barn Owl siblings care for one another while they are together. Barn owls often are the victims of vehicle collisions, but their greatest threat is indirect poisoning by harmful rodenticides. Kiersten:  This is the Flammulated Owl   Cheryl: I'm gla you said that word!   Kiersten: It's not a pretty word. (laughs)   Cheryl: I don't know who names these birds!   Kiersten: they could have picked a prettier word, for sure! This little owl has flame-like markings on its wings, for which it is named.  However, grayer variants lack this feature.  Its plumage is a mix of dark brown, gray, buff, and white providing the perfect camouflage.  It has large, dark eyes, and small ear tufts that are often held flat against the head.  It is 6-7 inches in height.  Weighs about 1.5-2 ounces and has a wingspan of 14-16 inches across.  Flammulated Owls are migratory.  Wintering here in Arizona from September-March.  Flammulated Owls can be found in Arizona's old Ponderosa Pine forests, Douglas Fir, and mixed conifer forests, and in amongst the Aspen trees at higher elevations.   Flammulated owls are considered the most abundant of the forest dwelling owls in Arizona.   These owls are heavily dependent on mature forests.  Habitat loss and rodenticides are the greatest threats to these owls.it vocalizes with twittery noises, mews, and in hoots.  Smaller than the Western Screech Owl this little owl often roosts in old woodpecker or sapsucker holes.  Flammulated owl eats insect like grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, spiders, ants I can't believe they eat ants, that seems like a lot of work for such a small reward, dragonflies, and moths. Probably one of their favorite is those big, fat moths in the silk moth family. That would tide you or for days.   Cheryl: I was surprised at what insects they eat because they are nocturnal. The dragonflies.   Kiersten: Dragonflies might be easier to catch at night though because they'll be stationary.   Cheryl: I don't know how they do it!   Kiersten: Me neither but they always seem to know what they are doing!   Cheryl:  Whiskered Screech Owl I think this one is so cute. I remember watching a video of one and thinking how cute he was and then it snatched a hummingbird! Then I thought he's not so cute anyone!   Kiersten: (laughs) Predators always do that to us!   Cheryl: (laughs) The Whiskered Screech Owl is named for the wispy bristles at the base of their beak.  It is a small owl with streaked plumage and a rounded head with short ear tufts.  There is a gray morph and rufous colored morph.  It has golden- yellow eyes and a yellow-green bill.   I also found it interesting that owl beaks can be different colors! Its height is 6-8 inches, and it weighs 2.4-4.2 ounces.  This owl's wingspan is 16-20 inches across. These owls inhabit southeastern Arizona in the dense oak woodlands and mountains forests of the Madrean Sky Island Mountain Range.  The very southeastern tip of Arizona.  They are active from dusk through the night.  They mainly prey on arthropods, including locusts, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, moths, caterpillars, centipedes, spiders and scorpions. I always like a bird that can catch a scorpion! They occasionally hunt small mammals and small birds.  Your best chance to look for Whiskered Screech owl is in the Sycamore groves alongside canyons in the popular birding area of Madera Canyon.  Listen for the evenly spaced boo-hoots of the small owls.   That's just four of the thirteen owls we have in Arizona. Part two is coming soon! Please I would just like to remind everyone that the Phoenix Valley is home to a great raptor rehab facility.  Liberty Wildlife offers rehabilitation to injured raptors such as the owls here in Arizona.  So, if you would like a close -up with an owl you may visit their education center for a tour.  If you find an injured owl please keep visual contact with the injured bird, and call Liberty Wildlife.  A volunteer will come out and rescue the bird.  We will include Liberty Wildlife's contact information in our show notes. Stay tuned for part two coming in the near future!

Each year I attempt to put together a new episode for the Halloween season, but as you might be aware, finding owls is in itself a time consuming effort, let alone recording sounds of them. While I didn't succeed in capturing much this year, I did think of what I think should be a fun fill-in. This episode will be entirely soundscapes of birds, insects, frogs, and coyotes singing in the night. It will be a standalone episode, in case you'd like to play it on a loop for a haunted house, or whatever purpose you might have in mind. This will be on both the Songbirding and Songscapes podcast feeds. Species include: Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Whippoorwill, Eastern Coyote, Common True Katydid, Chorus Frog, and more. Locations of recording were throughout southern Ontario, and in Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania. This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-da20d0 for 40% off for 4 months, and support Songbirding: A Birding-by-ear Podcast.

Each year I attempt to put together a new episode for the Halloween season, but as you might be aware, finding owls is in itself a time consuming effort, let alone recording sounds of them. While I didn't succeed in capturing much this year, I did think of what I think should be a fun fill-in. This episode will be entirely soundscapes of birds, insects, frogs, and coyotes singing in the night. It will be a standalone episode, in case you'd like to play it on a loop for a haunted house, or whatever purpose you might have in mind. This will be on both the Songbirding and Songscapes podcast feeds. Species include: Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Whippoorwill, Eastern Coyote, Common True Katydid, Chorus Frog, and more. Locations of recording were throughout southern Ontario, and in Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania. This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-da20d0 for 40% off for 4 months, and support Songscapes.

In our last episode, we discussed how rodenticides, also known as rat poisons, can have a negative impact on our birds of prey. Today, we'll be talking about Florida's five resident owl species and how to identify them by the calls they make. These owls are valuable predators in our local ecosystems, both rural and urban, and can be easily identified with just a little practice. Learn more: Watch our webinar: https://youtu.be/XhTFTNucDcw Commonly Confused Owls in Florida: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2019/11/06/commonly-confused-owls-in-florida/ Check out inaturalist.org for owls observed near you: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=21&q=owl&subview=map&iconic_taxa=Aves Owl Calls: Great horned owl calls: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/sounds Barred owl calls: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/sounds Barn owl calls: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Owl/sounds Eastern screech owl calls: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Screech-Owl/sounds Burrowing owl calls: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Burrowing_Owl/sounds How You Can Help: Share what you learned with a friend! Consider adding habitat for our owl friends. See these links for nestbox plans: Eastern screech owl, barred owl, and barn owl Think carefully before using any rodenticides and try other methods of rodent control, first! Sources for this Episode: Cornell's All About Birds website: barn owls, barred owls, great horned owls, Eastern screech owls, burrowing owls FWC's Owl Pages - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/#!categoryid=1149&subcategoryid=16772&status= If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/naturallyflorida/message

What has horns and flies overhead at night? The Great Horned Owl, that's who. Although they're horn shapes and not actual horn material. As far as science knows. Join us at 10 p.m. tonight on KCDZ 107.7 FM or use your phone as the world's most expensive pocket radio, as we examine the bird's-eye view of the world, and what it can do for your state of mind. Hosted by Ken Layne with new soundscapes by RedBlueBlackSilver. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=26080998 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the fourth episode of Capturing Nature, Lee will share seasonal photography tips for Big Bend National Park, his home base and favorite spot to photograph. Big Bend National Park is a huge park and the lone photographer can waste a lot of time not knowing what and when certain activities take place. Whether you are in pursuit of birds, wildlife, macro, landscape, Milky Way, or other photography subjects, Lee will give you a good foundation for photographing Big Bend. [caption id="attachment_4954" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Four (4) Image Panoramic[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4948" align="aligncenter" width="845"] Great Horned Owl in Flight[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4952" align="aligncenter" width="845"] Lightning at Sotol Vista Overlook[/caption] To learn more about visiting the Big Bend region, you can explore the https://visitbigbend.com/ (Visit Big Bend) website and the National Park service website on https://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm (Big Bend National Park). Pre-visualization is a technique Lee uses when traveling to new and repeat destinations to increase his chances of capturing captivating nature images. This simple but effective method will help you in advancing your photography skill. Finally, Lee shares his thoughts, complaints, and rants on crappy composites. To learn more about Lee, his role as an OM System Ambassador, and the photography workshops he offers, you can click on the links below. https://learnandsupport.getolympus.com/om-system-ambassadors/lee-hoy (Lee Hoy - OM System Ambassador) https://leehoyphotography.com/wp-admin/www.tourbigbend.com (www.tourbigbend.com) https://wildsidenaturetours.com/team-member/lee-hoy/ (www.wildsidetours.com) https://www.precision-camera.com/classes/all-classes/landscape-photography (www.precision-camera.com)

It's episode 103 and the Sinister Sisters are going on a road trip. A cryptid road trip that is! In today's group episode, Sarah heads to the Gobi Desert where the only thing you can do is run when you spot the large-intestine looking, acid-spitting Mongolian Death Worm. Then, Erin travels to Kentucky to cover the Hopkinsville Goblins case where a family fended off their home from either an alien attack or an angry Great Horned Owl. Morgan ends the road trip in New Zealand which is home to the Taniwha - powerful sea dragons that are known to eat people, kidnap women, and resemble logs. If we were cryptozoologists we would totally wear fedoras. Follow us on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/sinistersunrisepodcast/?hl=en) Have a personal story or a topic recommendation? Send it to our email! (sinistersunrisepodcast@gmail.com) If you are enjoying the podcast and want to show your support please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sinister-sunrise/id1498268800) If you want to look into these topics yourselves, below are the sources used: Morgan sources:(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_people);(https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid); (https://bestiarium.tumblr.com/post/650614679915429888/the-taniwha-maori-mythology-if-there-is-one/amp);(https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?&keywords=taniwha);(https://blogs.iu.edu/sciu/2020/12/12/seven-cryptids-species/) Erin's sources:(https://www.history.com/news/little-green-men-origins-aliens-hopkinsville-kelly);(https://www.courierpress.com/story/life/columnists/2017/08/21/history-lesson-goblins-hopkinsville/104796526/);(https://www.countryliving.com/life/a44064/eclipseville-hopkinsville-ky-history/);(https://allthatsinteresting.com/kelly-hopkinsville-encounter);(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly%E2%80%93Hopkinsville_encounter)

Nature is everywhere – including in downtown St. Louis! Join Jill as she takes an owl prowl with Naturalist Mark Glenshaw, who has been observing a Great-Horned Owl in Forest Park since 2005! Learn all about this species, and even how to spot owls in nature on your own! Be sure to learn more about the Forest Park owls by following Mark on Twitter at @forestparkowls

The Mongwa is a kachina or spirit that symbolises intelligence and wisdom. The Hopi believe that the wisdom and intelligence of the Mongwa kachina help them keep their fields free of rodents. They are also a frequent character in the various traditions and rituals performed by the members of the Hopi tribe and their main role is to knock sense into kachina clowns.The term Katsina or Kachina refers to the various spirits that are revered by the Hopi and other peoples. There are hundreds of these in the tribe and they are also known to be used in sacred dances.The Mongwa is considered to be a natural spirit that is represented by the Great Horned Owl and the ceremonial masks also tend to be inspired by the physicality. There are other kachinas that are represented by owls like the Screech Owl (Hotsko), Spruce Owl (Salap Mongwa) but are different from the Mongwa.Read more about the Mongwa at https://mythlok.com/mongwa/

PART TWO!!!!!!!!! WHATS INSIDE THE REAL FOX? WILL THIS BE MY FUTURE? WHO FROM THE OTHER SIDE CONFIRMED THEIR PRESENCE ?