Fellow bird-lovers of various feathers,

Seattle's spring weekend (wow, sunshine on a weekend!) overflowed onto Monday.
After not seeing the Snowy Owl on the Christian Science Center (15th & Denny)
on three previous attempts, I decided to try my luck one more time. I felt I
was pushing it by going in the middle of a sunny day, but I guess the "gods"
were with me.
The bird was perched on the northwest corner of the church on the carved stone
ornaments. Her beautiful light-brown flecked plumage blended well with the
carved stone of the building. The sun was just hitting her face when I arrived
at 13:30. By 15:00 when I left she had become hot by the increasing amount of
sunshine hitting her. She had started panting and moved back on the ornaments,
out of the direct sunlight as much as possible.
Got some nice photographs with the long lens, but most of the time she was
squinring against the sun. One crow harassed her for three minutes. This made
her open her eyes and glare at the heckler.
I know some people have picked up some pellets produced by this owl, but so
far I haven't heard of any prey items identified for sure. Anyone out there
have some more information? It would be interesting to know what this birds is
eating in this urban environment. Is she hunting rats or squirrels? Ducks or
other birds down at Lake Washington or in the neighborhood? Or has she found a
source of food in cats or even opossums? Whatever she eats, she had eaten well
before I saw her. About three minutes after someone had been standing directly
below her, she produced the biggest "slice" I've ever seen from any bird
smaller than a Bald Eagle or Great Blue Heron (don't mean to start a thread :)
). Good thing the person had moved.
Standing in the sun, watching a Snowy Owl across the street, my Monday
afternoon was most satisfying. Makes me wonder why I take on so much stuff
that keeps me inside...
Speaking of which, I think I'll wonder down to Green Lake now. I'll report on
this morning's count later.

Hope you all remember to enjoy nature, whether urban or elsewhere.
Martin Muller, Seattle
martinmuller at msn.com