last photos....
yesterday, I got the sad news that our remaining Bernal Hill great
horned owl was found dead under a pine tree near where this picture
was taken on June 16th, concluding the story of the beautiful pair of
birds that chose to live by the top of the Esmeralda steps this
winter.
Bronwyn www.flickr.com/people/94006708@N00/ and Aaron www.flickr.com/people/aaron_ximm/ have taken the body up to Wildcare in San Rafael for testing.
These beautiful wild birds were embraced by the community. They made the hilltop a better place as people gathered to see and talk about them.
I took this picture on June 16th, and haven't been back since, while waiting for my camera to get back from the shop. Ironically, the camera came back just as I got the bad news...
Comments and faves
yuzu (59 months ago | reply)
oh no. Sad news.
Stargazer95050 (59 months ago | reply)
So magnificent birds -- a true loss !!
figment (59 months ago | reply)
poor owl. and how sad for you. your owl photos are amazing.
Sugar Booger (59 months ago | reply)
oh, what a beautiful creature. that's so sad.
fsquared (59 months ago | reply)
Awwww.
jimheid (59 months ago | reply)
What a beautiful photo of a majestic bird. Very sad. I wonder what felled it? :-(
artolog (59 months ago | reply)
Thank you for the comments...
The other owl, probably her mate, died in April of an avian herpesvirus, so perhaps she caught the same disease. More on this disease here: www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/c hapter_18.pdf
copeg (59 months ago | reply)
That is a sad and abrupt conclusion. They were beautiful, had personality, and will be missed
{Allison F.} (59 months ago | reply)
Too bad. You clearly appreciated them. The story was so interesting to follow, such a shame they both met a sad end. Condolences on the loss of your owl friends.
spoonfeeding (59 months ago | reply)
Oh, that's really sad. Such gorgeous creatures.
fom (59 months ago | reply)
so very very sad. i'm glad you took such good pictures of them, though.
leafy (59 months ago | reply)
sad indeed ... deserves a bird salute:
deborah d. lattimore (59 months ago | reply)
oh, art. i'm so sorry.
a beautiful tribute to your owls on flickr blog: blog.flickr.com/en/2007/07/20/the-neighborhoo d-owls/
Headylou added this photo to their favorites. (59 months ago)
Headylou (59 months ago | reply)
How sad. Let us know what happened when you find out.
-Heather
CitrusFreak (59 months ago | reply)
I'm very sorry to hear this. :(
hugo heide added this photo to their favorites. (59 months ago)
Thushan Sanjeewa (59 months ago | reply)
You are definitely a Nature Watcher!
Please add this photo to http://www.flickr.com/groups/naturewatching/
and tag your photo "Nature Watcher"
Congratulations! Your eligible for PHOTO CONTESTS
Véronick (59 months ago | reply)
Sorry to read the news. What a sad end to a beautiful story. I wonder if living in the city made the two birds more susceptible to catch diseases such as the one the first one died of....
:((
SFKelly (59 months ago | reply)
So sorry to read this news. Very glad to have seen them through your eyes and camera, though.
monkeywobble (59 months ago | reply)
That's so sad. I just moved to Bernal and was really looking forward to shooting these amazing birds. :(
one dolphin added this photo to her favorites. (59 months ago)
gd4bird (59 months ago | reply)
Dear Art,
Thanks for being such a great documenter and caretaker of these owls. People like you, and the others here who appreciated the owls, are what motivate and inspire us!
Maggie
Hungry Owl Project, volunteer
CharlesLam (59 months ago | reply)
Sad to hear that ....
artefelino (59 months ago | reply)
Muy bonita foto.
tammyjq41 (55 months ago | reply)
I really don't understand how people could hurt any animal...but I guess if you have no soul you will do anything! Your pictures of these owls were amazing