Finally caught the mystery 'beast'

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May I print off the 2nd photo you have? I want to frame it for myself. I have such a love of owls and (sadly) birds of pray, yet frustrated when they eat my babies. So sorry for your loss and so amazed at your catch. Thank you so much for posting these photos!
We have seen several gray owls here, also humorously watching a friends bird feeder, a squirrel was seated eating when it was like "alien" and whoosh it was G-O-N-E! Only a few spatters left of the seed thieving critter...then we noticed the great Gray Owl seated in the tree waiting for the main course as that was only an appetizer!
If you prefer to keep these photos to yourself, I totally respect your wishes! Thank you!!!
 
Wow, she is certainly beautiful! There have been two in my backyard lately too, I wondered if it was mating season. In fact one night I heard something in the back and turned on the light and saw it sitting on the fence post of my garden looking at the quail pen. Luckily it is secure, so no dinner for her. It was the biggest owl I have ever seen. The next day I saw it in a pine tree in my neighbors yard. I took some pics, but they are not the best, it as facing away from me but looking back at me. I also found in my yard, the owl pellet. An owl pellet is undigest parts of the prey like teeth, hair, some bones. Of course I dissected (still a kid at heart!), and found that this owl had eaten a squirrel. The hair was gray with black and white tips, and I found the teeth and bones. Really cool. DH thinks I am goofy, but hey - it is interesting stuff! Here is a pic of the handsome bird I saw in my yard.

Lisa:
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This is all the reason to take care of your flock. Of course those who free range their birds have a completely different situation.
I have 12 Guinea fowl that run with the chickens in free range. So far I have had zero problems with hawks or other flying predetors.
I used to loose about 1 per week. They got two of my nice Leghorn hens and one really nice game hen. I got really mad, but never did I intend to kill a flying predator. I will however kill any four legged predator including dogs and cats. I have never really had problems with cats, just dogs. I would imagine now that you have caught and released this creature, it may never come back to your barn.
10 miles is NOTHING for an owl or hawk and they probably know the area in a 20 mile radius.
 
For everyone's information...

KILLING HAWKS AND OWLS IS LEGAL IF...

you obtain a permit from the US Fish & Wildlife Service and show them losses to livestock or poultry. The permit is called "Migratory Bird Depredation Permit" and is applicable to ALL migratory birds unless they are classified as endangered.
 
Cara, those are wonderful pics of a truly amazing creature! Thank you so very much for sharing this with all of us and for sparing that beautiful animal's life even though he caused you grief. I say KUDOS to you! Hope he now will move along and continue to lead a healthy life away from your babies
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Oh, that owl is beautiful. I think you did the right thing-- he's truly a wonderful creature- and hopefully he'll find something "wild" to have for dinner from now on.
 

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