Hi Tweeters: A few years ago I ventured off to Blewett Pass in search of my
very first Flammulated Owl. Not far up a forest service road I pulled over
to the side, dropped my hatch back to my Ranger, sat down to wait for the
perfect pre-darkness. I popped open a bag of sunflower seeds and started
chompin' away. My equipment consisted of a medium-sized magnum flashlight and a
camera in case I got really lucky. No more than ten minutes went by when I
caught a quick deliberate shadow flicker landing above my head. Would you
believe a Flammulated Owl came to investigate me and my loud and slightly
obnoxious crunching of sunflower seeds. I took an o.k. quality photo (not postcard
quality but one that would show the little fellas dark eyes and a good-sized
beatle in his bill). The owl then flew downslope from the forest service road
where several (perhaps more than 3) Flamms began calling their distinct
hollow single 'boot' call before the forest went quiet. It's funny that some of
the more difficult owls to locate have come pretty easy (ie. spotted, flamm,
n. hawk, boreal) but I STILL CAN'T FIND A DARN NORTHERN PYGMY!!!!!! Anyways,
since it's the time again for Flammulated Owls I would tell you all this
story to help generate some excitement for this great little owl. Take care,
Bryan Mathews, Orting, mailto: _Owler24 at aol.com_ (mailto:Owler24 at aol.com)
p.s. would love to hear some reliable pgymy owl locations!! haha