Thanks for the info Cyp. The pole does have all kinds of wires, telephone, electric, cable TV, and a big cable that stablizes the pole. It just seems as though it is so close to the pole that it is likely to have something to do with it. Electocution seems possible although I see birds on those wires all the time, and I suspect the GH owls sit there frequently because I hear pairs calling from the woods in back to roughly that spot quite often. I kind of thought geographically, the bird flu was probably out. I have never heard of owls really being big victims of West Nile either, but that doesn't mean they aren't. I thought that a bird like that may lose sight of a big obstacle (particularly one that sticks out in an open area) if it in the throes of a hunt. The area next to our driveway is open space on both sides. There are about 3 or 4 spruce trees spread over 350 feet of straight dirt drive. The open space on one side is left to grow all spring and summer and was recently mowed. The other side is pasure, so it makes up about a 2 1/2 acre treeless, non-lawn type area. We have added about 200 native berrying shrubs in the vicinity during the last year or two. I suspect there is plenty of good hunting out there in the way of skunks, rabbits, mice, etc. I've seen a fox hunting out there quite a bit also. When someone mentioned a long ear last night, I was beat and didn't check the size. It is a large bird. In fact, I would not want to mess with the likes of his talons. The amazing part is the size of his feet in general. I would say his legs are as widea as two of my fingers. They look formidable. Although it is very sad, it is so cool to be able to examine such an interesting creature up close.

Lucky us! Thanks for posting them! In the early 1970s I lived for three years in the Davenport, IA, suburbs, in a bottom floor apartment. A huge, old hollow tree stood beside the bedroom window and early every February, while it was still -20 with five ft of snow, Great Horned Owl nestlings would begin making their little feeding noises and entertaining us all night. I then took heart then because I knew spring was coming. Eventually the huge white owlets would start strolling around the yard and looking in the windows. No dog would dare bother them with the parents hanging around. Being young-in my early 20s-I took them completely for granted, but I've never had such an experience since.

Awww, it's an owlet in the pot! Thanks for the link, Mark. Rachel, We were watching a red tailed hawk nest one year and the next spring I caught a glimpse of movement in the same nest. We took our binocs and hiked out to see the 'hawks' again. The nest was occupied by a GHO family. The mom about scared me to death when I finally focused in and saw her aggravated stare! Our observation is that they will use existing nests to raise their brood. It was a huge stick nest too. Pam

Sorry. Didn't realize there was a raptor forum here. Thanks for telling me.