From Badger Run Wildlife Rehab
Owls are shape shifters. They routinely make themselves look bigger or smaller depending on the situation. Sometimes they make themselves look long and thin in order to camouflage (look more like a branch when sitting in a tree). Other times, they puff up to look huge and scary when threatened.
The pictures below (*above now!) are of an African owl, the White-faced Scops owl. And no, this is not photoshop. They absolutely can skinny-up like this.
(Photo posted by Avian Conservation & Education Network back in 2018)
Left: Larry! No, please. Not again.
Left:…
Left: I don’t know that guy.We have skinwalkers, they have… featherflyers?
Oh no! Owls don’t need even more evil powers! 😰
Even more? Now i’m scared, what other evil tricks do these feathery demons have up their sleeves?
Silent flight, able to hunt in pitch black, immensely powerful vision, three-dimensional hearing that can often enable them to “see” through objects, tremendous grip strength for their talons that spring shut automatically on contact and lock in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and exceptional camouflage. I’m sure I’ve left out a thing or 2, but owls have a lot of tools at their disposal.
Scrunched
It’s just working out those core muscles.
I’m imagining it’s what they look like after a really big hoot. 🤪
Lol like letting go of a balloon
Ha! Owls indoors might exhibit similar flight paths. 🤓
I love that colour
This is probably going to again be the owl to beat this year. People love this little guy!
Damn, is it almost time for Owl of the Year again? I’m stoked.
We’ve gotta figure out some new challengers soon and I need to figure out what I’m doing. Usually OotY is a quiet time for me other than the event, but this year I’ve got my wedding, honeymoon, a hunting trip, and I’ll (hopefully) be changing jobs, so I need to get my old OotY stuff off this computer.
Most of the stuff I was prepared for, except the work stuff. Another company took over out contract, so I’m either going to be rolled over to them…oooooor I’ll have ample free time to do OotY but I don’t know which it is yet. Someone’s always got to be putting my emotions on the rollercoaster.
I nominate myself for owl of the year.
I’m going to need at least 3 pics per round that show off your best owlish qualities.
Will do! Just as a warning, you will be entranced by my feathery beauty
I think their universal “wet owl” look is especially adorable, NGL.
I dunno, you guys look like you’ve had enough for one . . . huh. Well, I guess a few more won’t hurt ya.