Molly and I just completed 3 days of driving across America … south to north. During my last day in the Fort Myers area I revisited the Pelican Ballfields in Cape Coral. Although for this northern boy the winter temperatures seemed warm early in the morning (45F and sun), I suspected the local Burrowing Owls might think that a calm, sunny morning after two days of rain and mid 40’s were worth catching the sun’s rays like their northern cousins. Upon arriving home, I visiting with the northern cousins of the Beach Bums!

I was correct in that assumption, the “beach bum” owls were out getting warm near their burrow’s entrances.

“Beach Bum” Burrowing Owls of Cape Coral!

Northern Owls love to sit in the sun on sunny calm windless mornings. Look for the owls on the northern side of forest roads catching the rays from the sun in the southern sky. Anyhow, upon arriving home yesterday afternoon a bit before 3 pm, after taking 1/2 hour to unpack and stow away warm weather gear from the car, I was off to enjoy our local owl irruption. I did not need to travel far, and found two Great Grays hunting.

Great Gray Owls … the northern beach bum’s cousins!

Owl #1

Owl #2

I was actually home from my birding excursion within two hours of when I first got home from Florida. It was time for a leisurely glass of wine!