If you are old enough to remember Paul Harvey, you will know where the title comes from. While I was waiting for Virginia to come out on Sunday afternoon, I heard Daddy owl hooting in a cottonwood about 100 feet from the tree with the nest. Instead of the hoots we normally hear, that sound something like “whoooo whoo whoo whoooo” in the same volume, tone and intensity, he was doing three or four hoots cut short, followed by three longer more intense hoots — “wht wht wht whoooo whoo whoo”.
When I walked over to see what Daddy owl was up to, he was chewing on something, but I couldn’t see what it was. I walked around the tree trying to see if I could get in a position where I could see what he held in his claws, but I couldn’t see what he had because of how he was perched on the cottonwood. Finally I called out to him “Hey owl, what do you have?” He then proceeded to show me that he had a bird, and made the silliest faces in the process.
I also took a short video of him hooting and gnawing on the bird. I named it Great Horned Owl with Dinner. The video is posted after the last photo. You can hear him hoot, and watch him gnaw on his dinner. I assume he shared his bird with Virginia and Mama Owl, but I can’t say for sure, since I couldn’t stay around long enough to see the rest of that story.
Off Center & Not Even 
I am jealous of the fact that you have a property big enough to make a home for such a magnificent beastie.
Hi Lyn. This nest is about 3/4 of a mile north of our property in the bosque (cottonwood forest) along the Rio Grande. Our property boarders the bosque. There is another nest in a cottonwood in our neighbor’s yard about 100 yards south of us. We do have five large cottonwoods on our property the owls and hawks like to perch in, but none of our trees have owls’ nests.
Wow wow wow I love how his face looks he’s showing you his prize. What awesome photos Tim 😁
Thanks, Michel. He really seemed to be enjoying himself.
Super photos and video, Tim. Such a gorgeous bird.
Thanks, Mia!
You’re welcome, Tim!
Great owl documentary 🙂
Thanks, Harry!
He is very pleased with himself. Do hope he shared!
Thanks, Couriers.
Loved his show! Great photos!
Daddy owl looks like a good provider. Beautiful shots and footage, Tim!
Thanks, Lavinia. He’ doing is job.
I remember Paul Harvey’s “The Rest of the Story”, too. 🙂
I use to love listening to “The Rest of the Story”. Thanks, Lavinia.
Beautiful pics! Love the video. What an amazing creature.
Thanks, Victor and Andrea.
WOW! You just made my day! I adore owls and your photos are incredible!!! What a beautiful sight! ❤️
Thanks, Holly. You need to check out Sunday’s post, “Come out Virginia” for some more owl cuteness.
Will do that. Thank you! They are breathtaking creatures
Absolutely unique pictures and video.
Thanks, Inese.
Well, that’s something I’ve never seen. The food chain ……. is freaky.
Freaking On The Food Chain. I might have to make a song out of that phrase.
You go for it! Waiting to hear it.
Oh my gosh I loved the photographs but the video was amazing Tim. It was something else to see it eat and calling for it’s mate, pretty amazing site.
Thanks, Joni.