Birds and Nature

I found this dead Western Screech-Owl several days ago next to a very busy street on the edge of my town where traffic drives 50 or so in a 40 zone. I am sure it had tried to fly across the road and been hit by a vehicle--no blood, head twisted and signs of neurological trauma. It was near the Arkansas River which is habitat to Western Screech-Owls in this area. The middle pic is an enlargement of the top pic. The bottom pic shows the amazing little feet on these tiny owls--they have good sized claws for the size of their feet and body. I find the bottom pads of it's feet interesting-not sure the purpose of those little papillae,. Poor owls, this species and others tend to fly low to the ground and are at risk from being hit by vehicles. This one had been hit not long before I found it as it's body was supple and still warm. Darn. SeEtta

This is one of the juveniles in the family of Western Screech Owls I have been following these past few weeks. I found this one at 8:30 pm which is right just a little after sunset so can get pic without flash. Took bottom pic around the same time as too pic but taken at only 1/30th of a second rather than 1/50th as on last pic so get more features but a little blurry--and both handheld so difficult not to have blur at that slow speed (usually take photos, with good light, at 1/400th to 1/800th of a second). These young owls are becoming skilled flyers, at least for short distances, and darn good hunters. SeEtta