Transformer Owl Takes Down Curious and Annoying Squirrel!

Squirrel investigates Eastern Screech Owl With Predictable Results!

Inquiring Minds Want to Know - Squirrel checks out Eastern Screech Owl

Transformer Owl 2013 was patiently guarding over her nest box with three owlets when a pesky and curious squirrel decides to check her out. She puffs herself up and extends her wings to look big and scary as the squirrel is already right on top of her. She holds her patience for awhile and then sends the squirrel on his way - scared but unharmed. This is the same mother Transformer Screech Owl that has displayed her prodigious talent in the past by shrinking to look like a tree branch from a Red-Shouldered Hawk on the exact same tree in 2012. This amazing wild creature is the real wild transformer owl! 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NPXU5AZSAc

The Genuine Wild Transformer Owl Makes Herself Look Thin - May 2012.

The Genuine Wild Transformer Owl Makes Herself Look Thin in May 2012.

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Great Picture of an Eastern Screech Owl Entered into National Geographic Photo Contest

Great Picture of an Eastern Screech Owl Entered into National Geographic Photo Contest Had to Tweet this - classic example of Eastern Screech Owl camouflage.

Portrait of an Eastern Screech Owl - Traveler Photo Contest 2013 - National Geographic on.natgeo.com/17JSDR9 via @natgeotraveler

— Backyard Birder (@Nature_Fix) May 16, 2013

Beautiful Florida Red Rat Snake or Corn Snake Makes a Visit to the Backyard!

Beautiful Florida Red Rat Snake or Corn Snake Makes a Visit to the Backyard!

Florida Red Rat Snake or Corn Snake

This is the second large Red Rat Snake I've encountered in the backyard in the past year. I was able to get excellent close-up video of this snake slowly winding its way to the back fence to escape. I'll post that in the near future. I was alerted to the snake's presence by Blue Jays making a bunch of noise as they sort of "mobbed" the snake as it moved across the open back patio. More as a warning than an attempt to thwart the snake, the Blue Jays act like the backyard alarm system. Many small animals such as squirrels and other birds react to the Blue Jay's alarm shrieks, not out of fear of the Blue Jays, but recognition that the Blue Jays see or sense danger.

The Red Rat Snake is an attractive snake, but can be "scary looking" to people who encounter it in their yard and unfortunately the slow lumbering nature of these constrictor snakes means that many are killed on sight. This is unfortunate as they eat small rodents and lizards primarily and help keep the backyard ecosystem in check. They are perhaps one of the more genuinely attractive snakes in the U.S. and will only coil and stand their ground if given no choice. The sad thing is the majority of them are easily killed by hacking or beating as they make a slow "run" for safety. The video will be along in a week or so. More information is at Wikipedia .

Last Eastern Screech Owlet Makes the Big Jump out of the Nest Box

Last Owlet Realizes She is All Alone!

Eastern Screech Owlet in Nest Box - Last one Out

The youngest owlet was 5 days behind the eldest and 3 days behind the second and was clearly not expecting to jump but was relaxing in the bottom of the nest box waiting for Mom to put food in her mouth. She had not yet been perching for food - losing out to the two eldest. When she realizes her brother has left her expression is priceless. Mother continues to call in a nearby tree and withhold food. The little one has guts - it only took 10 minutes from realizing she was alone to making a jump even though she couldn't fly. She managed to fly to the tree with Mom and climb up high where she is doing fine. A classic end to the 2013 season!

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Last Eastern Screech Owlet Makes it Safely Out of the Nest Box

Video of Owlet Hiding in Deep Cover - A good thing!

Mother Screech Owl Guarding the Owlets in the Trees

After the 2nd eldest left last night the youngest quickly decided to make the plunge even though it had never perched at the entrance before. It fell to the ground but managed to fly into a Palmetto tree and then tried to fly back to the nest box. Mother Owl came to the rescue and calmed it down and it followed her back to the tree. This morning the little owlet was making noise and exposed but It hid and I managed to catch of glimpse of it this morning. We will only hear them now - they have moved into very dense brush.

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More info at: http://screech-owls.blogspot.com/

Live Screech Owls Tonight!

Watch "Florida Screech Owl CAM May 9th - Live From outside the Owl Nest Box!" on YouTube

Will the last two leave the nest tonight?

Eastern Screech Owl Chased Off Of Hunting Perch by Mockingbird

Video of Mockingbird Chasing off Mrs. Screech Owl

The female Screech Owl was taking up her usual position to start hunting for the owlets at dusk, but a Mockingbird with a nest in a nearby tree took exception. Mockingbirds are fast and fearless, and while they make some of  the most beautiful calls in the bird world, when they are on the attack they have an extremely aggravating call.

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Last Two Eastern Screech Owlets Will be Leaving the Nest Box Tonight - Live Feed

The second oldest owlet is now sitting in the entrance - the eldest left last night!

Tonight will likely be the last live feed as the two remaining owlets will likely leave the nest box. 

Starting early today! This will likely be the last night - the eldest left overnight and two very over-active owlets are in the nest box. The parents want them out of the nest box. They are guarding and feeding the eldest in a nearby tree. This is the time to say goodbye. They are very over active today and will likely leave between 8 and 9 PM. The parents will likely call them from nearby trees or perch and then withhold food to coax them out if they are not ready already! Will broadcast from outside till its too dark.

Live outside the owl box tonight!

Watch "Florida Screech Owl CAM May 7th - Live From outside the Owl Nest Box!" on YouTube

Watch "Florida Screech Owl CAM May 7th - Live From outside the Owl Nest Box!" on YouTube

Owl Watching - Nature Meditation

16 minute HD Video - Owl Watching at its best.

Male Eastern Screech Owl Guarding the Nest Box

The male Screech Owl has a favorite position to guard the nest box with the mother and 3 owlets inside. Now that the owlets are getting bigger the female has been leaving the nest during the day to cool down and rest. The male will do most of the hunting during the night. Here we see just 16 minutes of his day long vigil - these small owls only expose themselves to such danger when they are nesting. The other 10 months of the year you would never see this guy. To keep up on the owl family developments and get more HD videos every week. consider subscribing at: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=MyBackyardBirding