Great gray owl is a superior predator

I had my second encounter with a great gray owl last week.

After completing a day’s work, I went to the Spencer Mountain system on the north end where several trails embark from near the mouth of Spencer Lake.

It’s a good place to break a sweat if you only have an hour or so, but the trail system is beloved by mountain bikers with a number of options to keep one entertained.

I went up and around and back to the car, taking care not to fall as I descended.

At the end of February, I slipped and fell on some ice in Herron Park. Falling isn’t new to me, but when I landed with both arms outstretched in front of me, a few small cracks in my upper right arm and shoulder were the result.

The arm is heeling well, fortunately and I haven’t had to wear a sling for nearly a month.

Still, I didn’t want to fall, land on the arm and break it again. There is too much fishing, camping and hunting on the horizon to be dealing with it any longer than necessary.

After a safe negotiation back to the parking area, I decided to take a drive back through the area west of Whitefish on my way home.

When I am in the area, I usually drive through it to see how many deer, turkeys and other critters are out and about. It can be a good place to see sandhill cranes and every now and then an elk or two may be seen.

Birds of prey also love the area. With open pastures, small woodlots and the Stillwater River flowing through the heart of it, the area is a natural place to see a variety of birds and animals.

After turning on to another road, I saw some type of bird perched on a fence post. I quickly saw it was an owl - a great gray owl.

It was staring intently at the grass before pouncing. When it lifted its head, a mouse was hanging from its beak.

Not even a minute later, another owl flew from a tree at the edge of the opening to a post near where the first owl rested. It flew back to the edge of the woods and I had an idea the pair may have a nest nearby.

The second owl was not perturbed with my presence and stared intently at the long grass. As I sat inside my vehicle, it did fly to a nearby perch and I moved the car to be near it.

It continued to stare intently at the ground before suddenly pouncing on another unsuspecting rodent. They will listen in an attempt to hear mice or other small mammals moving underneath the interwoven dead and new grass.

The owl’s wings were spread, as if it were shielding whatever it was trying to kill. After 30 seconds or so, the owl folded its wings back to its body, moved around a bit and raised its head with another meal in its beak.

It seemed pleased with its work and why wouldn’t it be? The life of a predator is an uncertain one. They need to kill something to stay healthy and rear their young.

As the crow flies, it’s about six miles from where I saw these owls and the lone great gray nearly a year ago. That one perched in a tree as I and two others watched with fascination.

It’s not a mystery, either, to see many different types of owls here. The habitat of dense pine forests and open range land is perfect for them.

The owls really put on a show as I watched from the car.

Wildlife usually does and sometimes we are fortunate enough to see it.