Promo for Tonight's Talk and Recent Owlet Footage

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Tonight's the night, my talk at the Schlafly branch of the St. Louis Public Library system!  This is my first talk for SLPL and what better way than start at the branch closest to Forest Park, a mere two blocks away, and the branch I go to every week!  The talk begins at 6:00pm and here's the rest of vital details:

"The Mysterious Majesty of the Forest Park Owls ", Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 6:00pm, Schlafly Branch-St Louis Public Library , 225 North Euclid Avenue (at Lindell Blvd), St. Louis, MO, 63108

I hope to see you there!  SLPL kindly tweeted about tonight's talk as you can see here:

The Owl Man of STL, #MarkHXGlenshaw, talks about #GreatHornedOwls of #ForestPk @ Schlafly Branch on July 23 @ 6pm. pic.twitter.com/5C1SuFvx1c
— St. Louis Public Lib (@STLpubLibrary) July 22, 2014

I'm on Twitter too and you can follow me @forestparkowls

While I have been preparing for tonight's talk, I continue to get over to Forest Park and observe, document and do outreach with the owls.  ESL, experience, skill and luck, continue to aid my work and nice footage of the owlets is a happy result.

From Sunday, June 20, this older owlet was mere inches off the ground on The Fallen Tree.  I almost walked right past the owlet when something caught my eye.



A few minutes later I found a younger (more blond) owlet right on the ground.  It was investigating and/or hunting.  Insects are an early prey for young owls.  It was interesting to see how high the owlet's tail angled up as the owlet bent more sharply to further its quest. Although the owlet was likely hunting, notice that at the 20 second mark, the owlet emits its raspy begging cheep.  This call broadcasts the owlet's hunger and location to the parents.  Even though the owlets are hunting they are more than happy to get a feed from their parents.  At this transitional stage, the owlets' favorite Motown song is "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by The Temptations.



Just last night I ran into my friend and owl mentee, Brenda Hente, who just found a younger owlet.  We  went to find the other owlets and I saw one fly up to a low branch. The owlet transitioned to a slightly higher branch that was quite close to us.  It was great to be able to watch the owlet from such close proximity.



The owlet turned around, giving us a great view of its legs. My girlfriend, Wendy, is a cognoscente of the cute and a particular favorite of hers is the legs of bird of prey, which she refers to as "pants."  I was a glad I could shot of this owlet's "pants" for Wendy.

Thank you for reading!