Wise Old Owl
01-10-2012, 21:09
Last night a great horned owl was checking out our neighborhood. So I grabbed the night vision monocular and ran outside (Don't ask how I know) and proceeded up the street without thinking it thru. Yea I got up to the front of my neighbors yard and the bird was clearly in the pines above my head about what I thought was 20 feet up. so I rounded the tree and got the unit up to the eye only to see him glide around the back of the house. He had seen me even though I was silent and guess what dressed in total black (North face Fleece) Jacket, gloves, hat (yea it was cold last night) So I ended it because if someone saw me - there would be a whole lot of explaining to do. I was more amazed how close I got.
http://www.houstonaudubon.org/html/GrHornedOwlAMmed.jpg
Tonight not so cold, and he was back! I was able to get closer - then I stepped on a leaf- crunch and he was off across the same yard. But this time he landed in one of my pines. - He has an important preference 40 feet up! I cant quite make him out - so I walk up again indian style - I luck out round the pine again and he takes off again. Now I can see him. He crosses the neighbors yard and I am not going over there. He finds another Pine.... 40 feet again... Ok we played his game... Nothing to loose _ I can make the same damn call - same pitch and volume .... I stand at the fence and repeat for 10 minutes 15 seconds after each of his hoots. I stop. I start to walk away and because of the silence he flew over my head and landed on the other side of the acre looking for who made that noise! again 40 feet up a tall pine... I walk back and he spooked again and finally picked a 70 foot tall Oak with no leaves.
Now I can light him up at 50 feet away and 40 feet up..... wow I can really see him.. I click in the night vision illuminator and the eyes light up and we can both see each other - lots of fun.... He is staring right at me... He's a big adult male looking for a mate... awesome.
Now I am wondering if they can see the illuminator?
The best part is some video cameras now include this feature and the stand alone device is lightweight and great for short night hikes .. best when like tonight the moon rose on the horizon.
Thank's again John great gift!
http://www.houstonaudubon.org/html/GrHornedOwlAMmed.jpg
Tonight not so cold, and he was back! I was able to get closer - then I stepped on a leaf- crunch and he was off across the same yard. But this time he landed in one of my pines. - He has an important preference 40 feet up! I cant quite make him out - so I walk up again indian style - I luck out round the pine again and he takes off again. Now I can see him. He crosses the neighbors yard and I am not going over there. He finds another Pine.... 40 feet again... Ok we played his game... Nothing to loose _ I can make the same damn call - same pitch and volume .... I stand at the fence and repeat for 10 minutes 15 seconds after each of his hoots. I stop. I start to walk away and because of the silence he flew over my head and landed on the other side of the acre looking for who made that noise! again 40 feet up a tall pine... I walk back and he spooked again and finally picked a 70 foot tall Oak with no leaves.
Now I can light him up at 50 feet away and 40 feet up..... wow I can really see him.. I click in the night vision illuminator and the eyes light up and we can both see each other - lots of fun.... He is staring right at me... He's a big adult male looking for a mate... awesome.
Now I am wondering if they can see the illuminator?
The best part is some video cameras now include this feature and the stand alone device is lightweight and great for short night hikes .. best when like tonight the moon rose on the horizon.
Thank's again John great gift!