I almost did not hike over to the Pine Grove with all the thimbleberries this morning. There were intermittent showers, and after spending so much time with my owl family yesterday, I did not “feel the need”! I’m glad I changed my mind and decided to take a hike. One Great Horned Owl has centered its hunting within a 300 yard area. The combination of good hunting perches and plentiful thimbleberries is fantastic. Shortly after I arrived this morning, the owl caught an opossum. I hope you enjoy all the images including the half speed video.

Checking out a Pesky Squirrel

Down the Hatch

Opossum, Tastes Like Chicken!

Within Seconds of Finishing its Meal, the Owl Resumed Hunting

Videos of The Great Horned Owl Eating its Breakfast, an Opossum. The first video is at full speed, while the second is at half speed. (video links for email subscribers: full speed | half speed).

I suspect many of you do not know what a thimbleberry looks and tastes like. While the owl was eating Opossum, I was gorging myself on thimbleberries this morning.

These thigh to waist high plants grow in northern, shady forests where a reasonable amount of light ultimately reaches the forest floor during the day. The leaves look like large maple leaves, and the fruit has the appearance of a big raspberry … and is quite tasty. I ate over 25 berries while owling yesterday afternoon! My owls have hunted this particular pine grove for at least four years. Once the fruit ripens I know they will return to the area. There is a wealth of small mammals and birds eating the berries, which in turn gets hunted by the owls. (cell phone pics taken yesterday afternoon in the sun)