In late September, our new Prairie Partners exhibit opened. After many months of renovation, our old waterfowl room had been converted into a facility for black-tailed prairie dogs and burrowing owls. The prairie dogs have settled in to their winter pattern - mostly staying below ground during our short, cold days, but the owls have shown us a different approach to life.
I've not blogged about the owls so far - yet every day, I go home with new owl stories for friends and family. It is fascinating to watch the social interactions of the eight owls, and observe new facets of their individual behaviour.
These little birds, almost extirpated from their native range in Manitoba, continue to fascinate me day after day. This morning, they reacted vocally to my beaver-fur winter hat - I think they thought it might actually have been a critter on my head. Yesterday, at the end of the day, I woke up a little female from a nap...again, I'm no owl mind-reader, but her narrowed eyes and drooping lids said "Go away and let me sleep!" loud and clear!
Last month, I was away at a conference in Edmonton for a week. This was during the run-up to TIMBERR!!!!, so I had registration details to manage from two provinces away. With a hundred questions and details on my mind, my first question when I called in was consistantly "What're the owls doing today? Anything new?"
Check out the Prairie Partners exhibit - but be cautious. I'm finding burrowing owls can be habit-forming!
-Barret
PS: I promise to share more owl stories on the blog in the near future - the owls certainly do provide stories!
