You make such an effort in doing this I’m more than happy to support you and join in the discussions. Being the final a little extra effort was made! :)
Saw Whet’s in the lead as I type, but not by much.
Some more votes for EEO folks, let’s make it the biggest AND the best!!
What? No Icarus?! “Fly, on your way, like an eagle, fly, touch the sun”
Ahh I’ve missed so many rounds this week, so busy & wiped from work! I missed my Snowy vs Barn owl round, which would have been an impossible choice, and now they’re both out!
So Saw Whet vs Eurasian Eagle in the grand final, so different yet both pretty awesome looking birds! Do I go with the Snowy-beater as a sign of respect, or against in spite?!!
Maybe a more fairer approach is needed so some research: “The arrival of a new Eagle Owl in the vicinity causes panic amongst other birds of prey and a general re-arrangement of territories usually follows as its new neighbours try to give it a wide berth.” Now that’s one mean BoP!
“They prey mainly on mammals, chiefly rabbit and hare, but have been known to take roe deer and foxes which they kill by crushing their skulls with their huge, powerful feet.” Oof, even I’d keep well clear of such a beast!!
Top points for being the king of the jungle (well forest really!) https://theowlstrust.org/owl-facts/eurasian-eagle-owl-facts/
So Saw Whet, what’ve you got?
“Saw-whet Owls may be preyed upon by larger species of owls and hawks. Starlings and squirrels compete with them for nesting cavities and also plunder nests and kill owlets.” For such a teeny owl it’s inevitable to get a lot of greif but you’ve got to be a tough little cookie to not get completely pushed around! Bonus points for taking on the big bad world!
“A true night owl…When prey is plentiful, they will kill more than they can eat at once, caching the excess in a safe place.” A few extra points for intelligent resource use and tactical survival, I think!
https://abcbirds.org/bird/northern-saw-whet-owl/
So does that help me choose…well not much, but good to learn a little more about these big-eyed feathery creatures!
I think I’m won over by EEOs conquering of snowy, no mean feat, and it’s all round bossing of its territory! I may well have doubts after my vote is cast, but the choice is now made! Go EEO!!
That’s a very striking double crest going on, but no match for the bedazzling fine stylings of pure white with black speckling!
First pic of the Snowy: in a sultry voice “yeah…you know you’re gonna vote for me and I know you won’t be able to resist!”
*clicks upvote for Snowy
“Hey he/she was right!”
Two fabulous looking owls with much going for each of them in different ways. I’d toss a coin this round if it wasn’t for the “yeah it’s windy and I’m not happy about it!” look that tips it. That’s one big bird not to mess with!
First of my favourites to catch a vote from me. The Short-eared owl is a fine looking bird, but the silent stalker of the dusky hours gets my vote this round!
I’ll be looking out for the Buffy vs Saw Wet round in particular to learn a bit more. The latter had a lot of support last year and this year too so interested to see why.
All rounds are a hard choice given how superbowls are! (Dadum-tish)
I thought the barn owl may have won by more in the last round, just goes to show difficult the competition is!
Snowy & barn still on course for a quarter final clash! I missed their rounds so must check in better. It’s an interesting side, if either get through to the semi there’s some real challengers there for the final spot still.
I’m not so familiar with the l/h side species but burrowing vs great horned is an interesting clash.
I thought I had some web pages saved from researching possible plants for my garden here in the UK, but I can’t find them now unfortunately. This book, however, is very nice! https://rbgeshop.org/products/plants-from-the-woods-forests-of-chile
Ps I deleted my post as I realised afterwards that the round had actually finished already (it was a bit of a slow-brain day!!), but you clearly read it quickly! Thanks for adding my late vote :)
As a Little Owl kept me up half the night whilst camping once, just about drowning out the volumous snoring of another unknown camper (not sure if that’s a plus or minus!) then I have to favour the demure looking Milky Eagle Owl for this round!
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My thought too, it’s the snear on the right that got me!
Cheering on the Snowy and Barn owls. They’re both on the same side of the draw so I may have to pick one if they both reach the semis!
Pot kettle black. Also a monstrous gobshite. He was bad enough just as an annoying business owner, now we have to put up with so much more.
Welcome to politics, there’s all sorts going on that we know nothing about that will influence who says what about whom, when and why. Hypocrisy is irrelevant to these people. He’s just influencing.
Today/the last week, I have been mostly listening to Instant Rewards by Tides from Nebula, along side their previous album From Voodoo to Zen.
Probably not, there’s plenty of people who mostly just listen to the radio and don’t own much music. Sounds much the same. If it doesn’t work for you then it doesn’t work for you!
It’s an awesome opening to the album, “oooaaaahhh POWERRRNERRD!”, classic Devin!
A fine winner in the end, they wear their crown like a true champ!
Thanks again for running a fabulous competition and giving us some entertainment and infotainment!
I wish you, and everyone else here, a fabulous Christmas and new year period :)