Nice owl! From the back I wouldn't have been able to identify it as an owl. It's amazing how similar raptor backs look - I guess that's a very effective camouflage pattern for a tree dweller. I wonder if sparrow backs work best in grassy environments. I can empathize with your DH slipping while trying to photograph the owl. When I was leaving my NYC neighborhood I wanted to take a photo from the sidewalk of the Siberian Elm outside my window. While backing up I tripped on the railing of the building steps next door and almost fell into the stairwell. I managed to grab the railing and pull myself back up without damaging me or the camera but it was a close call. Claire

Here's a whole list of bird webcams, all over the world. I scrolled down and clicked on one in Ossipee, NH, that has info on their camera and system (I think it's a site for a sales rep.) It has at least one site for all of the New England states except MA, plus a bunch for NY. Here's the page I got on google, and I noticed several that had info on how they built their set up, if that's of interest to you. http://www.google.com/search?q=%22bird+feeder%22+webcam+OR+%22web+camera%22&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&num=10&lr=&ft=i&cr=&safe=images&tbs= Here is a link that might be useful: A list of worldwide bird wecams

I just brought up this thread to be mean . . . In my garden, the vole problem has been very limited this year. The owls moved out of the barn a few months ago but an owl flew over the garden back about October 1st when I was out there before daylight. And, I found pigeon and dove feathers in the barn on a couple of mornings - actually, what was left of a dove including the feathers. So, the owls still used the barn right thru the Summer. When I was in the garden yesterday, a large red-tail flew over very low. In a few minutes, he flew back over the garden. Shortly thereafter, we scared a rabbit out of the double row of mustard. It was remarkable that he was brave enuf to hide there with so little cover. The hawk probably resented our arrival and the subsequent departure of the rabbit. Here's something I wrote on the veggie forum just a couple weeks ago: "I've frequently seen a red-tail hawk sitting on a high post at the end of the neighbor's grapes. He will be out there for a little while even when we are just 50 - 100 feet away. The other day, he was eating something (and I'm absolutely certain it wasn't a ripe grape ;o). I stayed out of the garden until he'd finished every 'mousel' and flew away." Maybe a high post nearby would help encourage the wild birds-of-prey. They've certainly been a help for me this year. BTW - On 2 occasions, I have been successful with, at least, getting the vole to vacate its home using a hose and water. Filled in the hole with soil and that was that. Level ground but very porous, rocky soil . . . If I had to do this with every vole hole in the nearby alfalfa fields it would be a full time job. digitS'

The University of Wisconsin (I think...I have deleted the email now) had a nest box and webcam of a Peregrine Falcon nest...the male, named Samson. Samson and his mate raised 4 chicks. Samson migrated to Texas for the winter and was found with a broken wing and taken to the Wildlife Center. It was broken so badly that he can never fly again, and will be found a home as an educational bird, or in a zoo facility. They don't know if his mate migrated with him, or what happened to her. He had a leg band, but she had never been banded, so if she died, and was found, no one would know. They are magnificent birds. Thanks for your link!