The San Diego Zoo has a remarkable number of raptor species from all over the world. The Eurasian eagle owl is the world’s second largest owl with wingspans of almost 6 feet.
The eagle owl is an old-world owl found in parts of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Gorgeous aren’t they?
They are an adaptive species and nest in The Sahara Desert, the equatorial jungles of Africa and the northern reaches of Siberia.
The owl preys on rodents, rabbits, foxes and even young deer. It also preys on other birds.
Populations are increasing due to increases in the feral rabbit populations in Eurasia.
I think The Holler red-tailed hawks would be most pertubated if one of these guys escaped from the zoo and mosied over to The Holler!
Imagine the photos though!
Cheers from The Holler!
The owl is deep in thought.It is trying to figure out, us mortals,Cindy.
Wise old owl!
Wow! What a beauty!
I am so enraptured by owls. We have them at The Holler and we call back and forth at night!
Brilliant pictures!
Mil grazi~
I spend just one word about these images: W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L !!!
Its a wonderful word!! Thank you~
Awesome! The last picture looks like it was painted. What an amazing animal and dito photographer 🙂
So nice! Merci beau coup~
amazing bird & pix… Thanx for sharing, Cindy! 🙂
Thank you for appreciating Him (or her!) 🙂
Wow these are really great owl pictures, Cindy. Fantastic.
Beautiful creatures aren’t they!
What a beauty! I adore the San Diego Zoo! . . . . namaste. . . . .Anne
I’ve been going there religiously since I was a tiny tot, so I agree with you. I went to zoo school there which I loved when I was a child, and so did my children. My son volunteered at CRES (Center for Research on Endangered Species) also run by the SD Zoological Society. Fabulous organization~
As well as the large amount of unusual animals, I loved the landscape and plantings. Such a pleasant place to spend the day! Namaste. . . . Anne
Oh yes the horticulture at both the WAP & Zoo is simply sensational. Matt & I were just talking about this!
Such a beauty and her with bare hand WHAT lol Gorgeous!
Aren’t owls magnificient!
They are until they almost fly into your windshield 🙂 I never hit anything except the rump of a female deer and I was coming to a stop when we connected but she was fine probably arthritis now 🙁
One did fly into my windshield in Alaska! I felt terrible for it!
What a BEAUTY! 😀
Yes indeed. I would love to see one in the wild too!
Beautiful images! Those talons are amazing.
Definitely able to get the job done, huh?
the tecolote!! Bee-rillant pictures, Cee! The eyes are so intense, and wow! Deer as prey. That is some kinda birdee predator, and these shots are a cut above. The zoo should use ’em at their exhibit!!
Rather effective little dear isn’t she, especially with the deer! You bring this out in me……too much fun! 🙂
These are all stuning Cindy! Those talons are certainly awe inspiring!
Awesome creature, so awe is the right word too!
“The warping night air having brought the boom
Of an owl’s voice into her darkened room,
We tell the wakened child that all she heard
Was an odd question from a forest bird..”
Excerpt from “A Barred Owl” by Richard Wilbur
http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poem/179529
Just went to the poetry outloud site. Wonderful, as is the poem. Delightful!
Ah, a noble heart…
There is something special about owls isn’t there…….
I have only seen a raptor like this once before. He sat across the desk from me while he was giving me my annual work appraisal. FUN!
You have mentioned this bird before! I remember because my husband thought it was especially hilarious which it is!
What cool shots you have here. I like owls or predator birds but at the same time they drive away small birds too.
That is very true, except at The Holler where the hawks have so much available prey, they ignore the songbirds, so I get to love them all!!
Oooh! Magnificent! And great photos, what a treat 🙂
So glad you like!! Bet Wolfie would be most interested too!!!
Well…lol…I didn’t like to say it lol but since you mention it!!! lol 😀
Oh, those eyes. The beak and talons are splendid too … but oh, those eyes!
I know owl eyes are simply impenetrable and utterly mysterious to me!
Awesome critters!
“All creatures great and small.” You and I are in accord on this~
Beautiful.
I agree with you. Stunning creature~
just gorgeous…your photos certainly due him justice Cindy!
Awww, so nice! Thank you~
What a gorgeous beast!
I get the sense he/she knows this!
I love owls!
I do too! They are so mysterious~
The coloring is magnificent, Cindy. Never seen such a colorful owl.
Me neither! So beautiful~
The owl is beautiful. What a majestic bird!
That is an accurately descriptive adjective!
What a superb specimen and what a superb photographer! I think I would be perturbed if I met a creature with a 6 foot wing span.
It’s Emu’s that unnerve me. They are 6 feet tall and not very bright. You definitely don’t want to irritate them! 🙂
lol
Beautiful! I want this one.
Aren’t they splendid! Harry Potter had an owl, so why can’t we?
I had an owl once when i was 12 years old. He died when my neighbor had an eagle in their backyard. I was the Harry Potter before that novel published:d
Oh my! How wonderful that you had an owl as a child! Except that your neighbor’s eagle killed it. I am truly sorry about that. Very traumatic for a 12 year old. I would so like to know what it was like to have an owl……Do you have photos? Where did you keep him? What did you feed him?
You’ve got me interested……
Cool!
Very!
Amazing photos!!!
So glad you like them! Thank you~
What’s not to like. Great job.
🙂
Wow what an awesome owl!!! I LOVE owls!! I bet your zoo is awesome compared to our small town zoo!! Happy 4th of July wishes!! Hugz
Lisa, I hope you come to visit the zoo and the wild animal park. Both are wonderful! I love small town zoos too though! Cheers & hugs back to you!
Fabulous photos, Cindy. Well done to you. 🙂
So kind! Thank you ma deah~
A very magnificent animal that owl !
I agree with you! Thank you ma deah~
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
Muchas gracias amiga mia!