01. Photographer pick: Edsel James Batuigas
Edsel James Batuigas is a photographer based out of British Columbia, Canada, who takes breathtaking pictures of owls, which seem to be his favorite subject matter. His work can be found at https://instagram.com/edseljamesbatuigas.
Many Native American cultures viewed owls as symbols of wisdom and intelligence. Photo by Edsel James Batuigas
02. Article pick: At-risk Species Spotlight: Northern Saw-whet Owl
This article by Watchable Wildlife Biologist Olivia DaRugna discusses one of the smallest and most endangered owl species in North America, the northern saw-whet owl. These owls are fairly difficult to see in the wild, due to their small size (according to the article, roughly the size of a can of soup), nocturnal nature and tendency to inhabit dense coniferous forests. This article is well-written and showcases how many unknown, unique and fascinating species of owls there are.
There are around 20 owl species that live in North America. Photo by Andrey Gulivanov, Unsplash
03. Book pick: Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls
"Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls" is a book by award-winning nature photographer and writer Paul Bannick that documents the behaviors and habitats of several species of owls found in North America. Readers follow along with the life cycles of owls as it turns from season to season while Bannick shares his experiences observing and photographing the owls in their natural environments. This book has a special focus on the northern pygmy-owl, great gray owl, burrowing owl and snowy owl, but every owl species of Canada and the United States are featured in photos and words. Throughout the book, Bannick emphasizes the importance of conservation and the need to protect these fascinating creatures and their habitats. He also provides tips for those interested in owl watching and photography, as well as resources for further learning.
04. Video pick: One of the Most Fascinating and Deadliest Owls in North America | The Great horned Owl
This video by YouTuber Lesley the Bird Nerd gives great information about one of the most well-known and common owls of North America, the great horned owl. This video is a wealth of knowledge, and has great videos of the great horned owl in its natural habitat. It goes into its life cycle, where they live, what they eat, and even what their hoot sounds like. Lesley the Bird Nerd has several other videos about owls, which are also worth checking out.
05. Quote of the Week
“The owl is one of the most curious creatures. A bird that stays awake when the rest of the world sleeps. They can see in the dark. I find that so interesting, to be mired in reality when the rest of the world is dreaming. What does he see and what does he know that the rest of the world is missing?”
— M. J. Rose