Hoot the Barred Owl part 4

 

Panorama iPhone view of our trees from eve of house to eve of house.

Hoot spent at least 12 hours sitting in the top of the palm, the one on the left of the two palms to the left.

Hoot sat about 40 feet up, the other trees are about 6 stories high

These two phots are called Vertical Panorama photos, again by iPhone. Woo Hoo, learned something new.

These trees are 6 stories high, about 50 feet I think.

I think I know why this barred owl, known as Hoot, chose our home to live behind.

Research tells me

the answer to David's comment yesterday, how do I know if the owl is a HE not a SHE.

I don't know, but THEY say the only way to tell is if they sit next to each other and the BIGGER one will be the female. We are calling him Hoot and Bob said to use IT instead of He/She

Barred Owls are the only owls that like daylight hours.

they live in knot holes in tall trees.

They prefer really tall trees, they like 40 to 50 feet/15-18 meters. The like to live in them and sit in therm.

Below is Google earth and our house is the red X. 

see all those trees?

THEY say Owls prefer trees, lots of trees and love swampy areas. The house at the bottom circled in red has been untouched by human hands or feet for many years.

The yard is a Swamp! truly is.

 Also note, Owls like proximity to water. SEE the Four Pool, ours is surrounded by trees and not open like the others.

Bob and I think after much discussion, Hoot is guarding a nest with eggs or babies.

Yet another reason we vote HE, because SHE is sitting on eggs or feeding Babies

THEY say they lay 3 to 5 eggs end of March and 30 to 33 days later BABIES.

We can think of no reason he would sit 5 hours straight, take a lunch break and sit for another 5 hours on the same frond. He was dive bombed most of the day by starlings, crows, jays etc. he did not blink and eye or flutter a feather.

What ever the reason, which ever gender he is, We love Hoot and have cricks in our necks watching him. I think our sliding glass door may have to be replaced from constant sliding it open and shut for hours.

Note: Info Found HERE says they mate for life, and take care of babies for up to 6 months, longer than any other owl..

Just think of the OWL blog fodder if they have Babies.....