The Great Horned Owl

I didn't see it at first. How could I have missed it? When I let Miss Molly out at dusk yesterday evening, I stepped out on our patio at the back door. She ran to the birdbath near our wood fence lined with mature crepe myrtles to do part 1 of her business. We have a 3 1/2 to 4 foot shepherd's hook with a beautiful artificial bluebird windchime hanging from it right next to the birdbath underneath the crepe myrtles. Then she darted off under the oak tree and I kept my eyes up, watching, since we had a scary, close encounter a few weeks ago with a predator bird. It was some type of a large bird that swooped down lightening fast and luckily, I quickly moved toward her and as fast as it dropped down, it flew upward and away before I could even realize what had happened. It happened so fast, I couldn't recognize the bird.

But yesterday evening, as I scanned the oak tree and looked about the yard, I saw the owl. There it was, perched on the shepherd's hook, just sitting there, looking at me, staring me off. It was literally 10 feet away. How did I miss it when she was there just seconds before?

I've been researching about birds of prey since the first encounter a few weeks ago, so I shouted, waved my arms, etc. This owl didn't budge. I scooped up Miss Molly and quickly went inside and yelled to my husband. Even he, walking toward the owl, didn't phase it, until he used an umbrella to shoo it away.

Owls are beautiful creatures. I've never seen one in real life. It was something to see. Owls are excellent for helping control the rodent, squirrel, snake, and insect population, but I fear for Miss Molly since she is a small dog and owls don't understand the term "pet."

So, I will continue to monitor and supervise when she is out. Keep her on a leash for walks in the area since there are dense woods and streams nearby.