Looking back over the past 19 years in the Pasty Cam archives, I've seen a few pictures that were quite a HOOT. Not a hoot in the funny sense, though, but a couple of owl photos appeared on this day on our "way-back" machine. In 2004, Dennis Kemper was at the cemetery and came upon these baby owls. They may look lost and vulnerable, but no worries, he also saw the mother and went back to check on them each week until they took flight.

Another hooter was spotted on a rooftop in Hubbell, by Carl Kiilunen. It seems to be taking a nap or maybe just discreetly watching the human clicking photos of him. Either way, it's not something you see every day around town.

More common around town is the White-throated sparrow that recently visited Bob Gilreath's backyard feeding station. It sounds like the Gilreath's have had quite a number of visitors in the past few weeks, which means the birds are returning from their winter break.

I received the fourth photo in my Inbox, just in time to include it with these bird shots, today. Chris Beaudoin, also known as "Dunerat") was in Houghton to pick up his son from Tech and they did a little exploring. Chris said they spotted this bird of prey near Amasa and he thinks it could be a Peregrine Falcon, but is curious to know if he identified it correctly. He added that perhaps some sharp-eyed observer up on Brockway will see this bird as it continues flying further north to their normal summer range.

Fred Koski has the featured video today. A barred owl that he was watching as it was watching him. The only thing that could have made this better was if it would have given a hoot!

Neat-O pix and steady-handed video! Isn't that the same owl that does the America's Best eyeglasses commercial?

I've been enjoying the addition of videos to the Pasty Cam the last couple of months. This has to be one of the highest quality. Reminds me of the "Wild Kingdom" documentaries back in the 1960's, or the old Disney "Wonderful World of Color" on nights when they featured nature photography. Even better when you view it in full screen.

Can any of these owls tell us how many licks it is
to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

Hi
I have a clock that sounds a different birdcall at each hour. The white-throated sparrow is my 10 o'clock bird.

With regard to the hawk, the beak made me think of a peregrine, but both adult and juvenile look different in the pictures at the website I went to:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/id

Wide tail bands suggest a Broad-winged Hawk rather than a juvenile "Sharpy" (Sharp-shinned Hawk...which hang around our feeders to snatch small birds that come in for their dinner.)

Gotta say..I'm thinking that's an immature Osprey.

whoooo?

If you post that pic on one of the Facebook pages, Michigan Bird Watching or Birding Michigan, you'll have lots of expert replies within minutes! I vote for a hawk of some sort, but I'm no expert!

Fine bird photos.

America's Best!

LOL

Stop it! :-)