West Seattle wildlife: Owl-watching in Lincoln Park

Weekend wildlife scenes to share before the week gets going at full speed! Trileigh Tucker says, “A few of us had a wonderful time watching the Lincoln Park Barred Owls! They were trying (unsuccessfully) to get away from crow harassment in the central part of the park. Here’s what was happening: (The) owl does a luxurious wing and leg stretch! Note leg stretched out vertically below:”

Next, she explains, the owl “tucks his head in his feathers for a brief rest during preening”:

From there, she explained, the crows were distracted and flew away, “I think because this guy’s mate came in.” But first, he was buzzed by other birds, including two hummingbirds, one of which you can see here:

At that point, Trileigh says, the owl flew over to drink from a stream while “still getting harassed by hummingbirds, crow, and jays, then (flew) up to join his sweetheart.”

She says it was quite the show. We wondered if there might be hope of a baby owl this year – you might remember the one Trileigh chronicled a few years back – she says it’s a little late in the season, since that baby owl (nicknamed “Wollet”) was already out and “walking” by late May, but still possible.

15 Replies to "West Seattle wildlife: Owl-watching in Lincoln Park"

  • miws May 6, 2013 (7:57 am)

    I’ve long been fascinated, and a bit amused that crows will harass Bald Eagles. I mean, harassing a raptor much bigger than you, that could easily and quickly take you out if it desired?!

    .

    But now, to find out that hummingbirds will taunt an owl?!?

    .

    If I were the owl, I think I’d send the crows, hummingbirds, and jays a message, by swooping down and grabbing me a nice, tasty, rat or field mouse and showing them what I could do! ;-).

    .

    Thanks, Trileigh, and WSB, for a sharing a fascinating look at nature!

    .

    Mike

  • Nitro May 6, 2013 (8:50 am)

    Cool! Beautiful. Loved the hummingbird photo. Brave little guy!!

  • lulu May 6, 2013 (9:20 am)

    Hummingbirds are interesting that way. I’ve observed them trying to chase away crows and jays as well. They are more assertive than one might think.

  • Lyanda May 6, 2013 (9:31 am)

    Trileigh’s photos are gorgeous, as always!

  • Breezy May 6, 2013 (9:43 am)

    How timely! I’m am going to Lincoln Park today for the first time :)

  • biankat May 6, 2013 (9:50 am)

    Love, love, love these photos. Thank you for sharing :)

  • sc May 6, 2013 (10:32 am)

    I once saw a hummimgbird taunting a cat. The bird flew next to a bamboo plant and hovered. The cat started up the plant and the hummimgbird flew up just out of the cat’s reach. The cat tried to go higher but the bamboo plant would not support the weight and the cat tumbled down (unhurt). The hummingbird hovered a bit and then flew off triumphantly!

  • anti-obstruction May 6, 2013 (11:07 am)

    Walk my dog often at Lincoln Park, never been lucky enough to spot an owl!
    Thanks for the incredible pix! :)

  • G May 6, 2013 (12:19 pm)

    Lovely photos. Barred Owls show no fear of people and are aggressive. Be careful, they are well-known to swoop down and attack people.

    Get em, hummingbird!

  • Jeff May 6, 2013 (1:54 pm)

    Great pics! We saw one of them yesterday at around 7. It was chatting up a storm before flying off.

  • Anne May 6, 2013 (3:07 pm)

    Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful and amazing photos!

  • seahorse May 6, 2013 (3:16 pm)

    What pleasure you (photographer and owl) bestow upon me!

  • lk May 6, 2013 (7:21 pm)

    Since hummingbirds are so small, nothing really bothers to eat them, so they’re generally unafraid of everything. Get near their nests or territory, and they will get in your face, no matter how large you are.

    Crows harass eagles and owls because, as much as we love them, eagles and owls aren’t the brightest bulbs in the bird world chandelier. Crows, brilliant as they are, get bored, and when bored, aren’t above making mischief. Owls and eagles generally could care less about the crows, because they’re pretty much just concerned with their mates, their young and their next meal.

    Great photos. Always so appreciate Trileigh sharing her encounters with owls and other critters. Gorgeous birds.

  • furiouskitty May 6, 2013 (9:29 pm)

    My resident hummingbirds always taunt the cats as they chatter at them through the window. Brave and beautiful little darlings.

  • anti-obstruction May 6, 2013 (11:29 pm)

    Crows are beyond mischievous—they are evil—ask any Robin.

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