BEST BULBS TO PLANT NOW!
I
MUST�SEE MUST �SEE FAL FALL L BIRDS B IRDS
Beauty in Your Your Own Backyard
GREAT HORNED OWL
OWL SECRETS Everr ythi Eve ything ng you nee need d to know about your noct n octurn urnal al neighb neighbors ors
10 FLOWERS
for autumn aut umn color
1
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The Jitterbug Smart has an ultra-mod ultra-modern ern look and ha hass been specially designed with GreatCall’s signature simplicity. New Voice Typing, Typ ing, com combi bined ned with a bigger 5.5-inch screen screen,, make makess writing emails and texts effortless. Turn your Jitterbug Smart into a personal safety device with GreatCall’s GreatCall ’s award-winning health and safety safet y apps, like 5Star®. 5Star®. In any uncertain or unsafe situation, simply press the button and a highly-trained Urgent Response Agent will confirm your location, evaluate your situation and get you the help you need, 24/7. SMART
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To T o order order or or learn learn more, more, call
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Award-winning, U.S.-based customer service and tech support
No hidden monthly fees
25% off device valid only for new customers or new lines of service. Offer valid 9/3 through 9/30/17. 2Monthly fees do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges and are subject to change. Plans and services may require purchase of a GreatCall device and a one-time setup fee of $35. $300 savings calculation based on market leaders’ lowest available monthly published fees. Coverage is not available everywhere. 5Star or 9-1-1 calls can only be made when cellular service is available. 5Star Service will be able to track an approximate location when your device is turned on and connected to the network, but we cannot guarantee an exact location. Jitterbug, GreatCall and 5Star are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Copyright ©2017 GreatCall, Inc.
Contents BIRDS & BLOOMS OCTOBER
I NOVEMB ER ����
It’s tim It timee to plant plant bulbs! p.42
36 The joy of sedums
FEATURES
30
Meet Your Nocturnal Neighbors Get to know the owls that stealthily hide in your neck of the woods�
36
Discover Autumn Joys Find out why sedum deserves a spot in your late�season landscape�
42
Fall for Spring Bulbs Plant now for the biggest and best flower displays�
GARDEN WITH A PUR PO SE � October To�Do List �� Feeder Talk Great horned owl
�� Essentials An owl’s physique
�� Top �� Fall color for your garden
�� Yard Smarts Winterize your yard
�� Bird Tales
30 Owls worth knowing
Great horned owl Photo by Brian Zwiebel�
14 Best fall blooms
Attract more owls
�� Travel �� Across the Fence Love for autumn flowers
ON THE COVER
Best Bulbs Fall Birds Owl Secrets �� Colorful Flowers
BACKYARD CHAT �� Ask the Experts �� Field Guide
p� �� p� �� p� �� p� ��
�� Photo Quiz �� Caption This! �� Did You Know? Owls in pop culture
IN EVERY ISSUE � From the Editor �� For the Reader
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GRAND HISTORY
FROM THE EDITOR
With my binoculars raised and my neck craned so far back that I almost tipped over, I tried my hardest to locate the eastern screech-owl that I knew was hidden high in the tree. “I think I see it,” I remember saying on the boardwalk at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area in northwest Ohio. I’m still not 100 percent sure that I ever laid eyes on that well-camouflaged bird. Many owl species have barred or streaked brown feathers that let them blend in with tree bark. And despite their upright posture and large size (even small owls are bigger than the average songbird), these evasive fliers are incredibly difficult to spot, even when they’re perched on a branch or peeking out of a tree cavity. If you yearn for your very own owl visitor, it is possible to attract these wise guys to your yard. All you need is a few expert tips (find them on page 56) and a little diligence. Janet Kirk of Fort Myers, Florida, has proof that patience pays off. She put up a nest box four years ago, and a female eastern screech-owl finally moved in at the beginning of this year. A month later, the owl’s mate showed up, and eventually Janet and her family watched three young owls fledge. As you page through this issue, you’ll notice we give these mysterious birds a lot of well-deserved attention. Get to know the great horned owl (our cover model) on page 10, find out how owls fly so silently on page 13 and meet the most common North A merican owls on page 30. Then flip to the back cover to see my favorite photo in this issue—a pair of young barred owls. I dare you to not say aww.
Spread bird and garden cheer this holiday season! Give a Birds & Blooms subscription for only $10. Visit birdsandblooms.com/givetoday to get the deal. If you order and pay online, give a second gift for FREE! PSST!
KIRSTEN SWEET, EDITOR
THE HOT LIST Kirsten’s roundup of the season’s must-sees and –do’s.
1 Have some fun with your
backyard birds like Janet Kirk of Fort Myers, Florida, did! She gave each of the young screech-owls in her yard a name—Henry, Phoebe and Leo.
Use a pattern or stencil!
2 Say sayonara to the basic jack�o’�lantern and carve a bird�themed pumpkin! Kirsten carved this one last year� Share your masterpieces with us at� birdsandblooms�com/submit
A New View On page 52 of the August/ September issue, Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman said that the center of a sunflower is actually a cluster of tiny florets that hold nectar. After I read that, I took my camera to my backyard and focused on my sunflowers. I captured this busy bee as it looked for the tiny drop of nectar in each “bloom.” Thanks for helping me see the tiny flowers.
from a re ader
Ed Moore FREMONT, CALIFORNIA
6
birdsandblooms.com
OCTOBER I NOVEMBER ����
Go on an owl prowl. Grab your friends and family for a nighttime hike to look and listen for owls like this long-eared. �
L E T U E B N E H T O K B O B : L W O , T F E L
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GARDEN WITH A PURPOSE
Plant a Puff ball After its colorful petals fall, clematis transforms into a buffet for birds.
CALLING ALL CLEMATIS
Some types of clematis� such as golden clematis �C� tangutica�� continue to bloom through early fall� but many varieties are dwindling� Once all the blooms drop� goldfinches� cardinals� nuthatches and other birds can’t get enough of the seed clusters�
M O C . A J N Y W N E E R O D
OCTOBER � NOVEMBER ����
birdsandblooms.com
9
FEEDER TALK
PSEUDO-HORNS
Those “horns” on top of the great horned’s head aren’t ears at all, but feather tufts called plumicorns. Scientists theorize that owls use them to recognize each other.
THE FEED
The Greatest Hunter Get an up-close look at the exciting lives of these fierce predators. BY SHERYL DEVORE
A BIRTHDAY VISITOR
f there’s a nesting owl in your neighborhood, there’s a good chance it’s a great horned. The second-largest owl species in North America, these birds of prey make themselves at home in a diverse range of habitats, including deserts, wetlands and forests. Overall, they prefer woods near open areas and fields, but they aren’t too picky about what they eat. From snakes and scorpions to rabbits and mice, a great horned owl’s diet is expansive. One thing that makes great horned owls skilled nocturnal hunters is their hearing capability. The owl’s facial disk (the collection of feathers around the eyes) works like a satellite dish, trapping the sound and forcing it toward the ear canal. Its ears are on either side of the head, with one higher than the other to help the owl zero in on the location of its prey. While fall and winter might seem like improbable times to nest, the great horned owl is no ordinary bird. “W hen the young are hatching, there has to be an abundant prey source to feed them, and great horned owls have it timed just right,” says Jim Herkert, executive director of the Illinois Audubon Society. In late winter and early spri ng, plenty of mammals and other prey are available for the parents to bring
I
S K O O B S R E E N I A T N U O M E H T � K O O B � D A E R E I R A M
to their recently hatched young. Owls hoot at night, especially before breeding season in fall. A paired male and female utter a low series of five to eight hoots. They also bow to each other and rub their bills together. They raise their young in abandoned squirrel or hawk nests or in tree cavities. Females lay eggs in late November in Florida, late December in the Carolinas, and late January farther north. The young hatch in about 30 days. The male brings food to his partner, who tears it into bite-sized pieces and feeds it to the young. In three weeks, their offspring begin peering out of the nest, showing off the white down on their heads. By seven weeks, fledgling great horneds make short flights, but adults continue to bring them food, responding to an eerie begging call that sounds like a human scream. Fledged owls typically stay with their parents for most of the summer. Great horned owl numbers are declining, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. To help, erect a wooden nesting platform with shallow sides in a live tree. Place large sticks and grass inside to mimic a hawk’s or crow’s nest. Once you’ve attracted a pair of great horned owls, listen for hoots in the autumn night. Just make sure you watch from a distance so you don’t disturb them.
On the morning of her birthday� my wife was blessed with a gift from Mother Nature herself� The first thing Jan saw when she looked out the bedroom window was the neighborhood great horned owl gazing back at her! The bird continued to perch in the juniper tree for most of the morning� Alan St� John BEND� OREGON
PERFECT PAIRS
Great horned owl pairs are monogamous and may stay together for five years or more� Some researchers think they stick by each other’s sides for life� STUFF WE LOVE
Award�winning photographer Paul Bannick takes readers along for the ride as he documents one year in the life of various owls in his book Owl� A Year in the Life of North American Owls �
Visit barnesandnoble�com to order a copy�
OCTOBER I NOVEMBER ����
birdsandblooms.com
11
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ESSENTIALS
The Secrets of Owls Put on your detective hat and learn what makes these birds of prey so unique. BY KAITLIN STAINBROOK Head: can fully turn 270 degrees thanks to 14 neck vertebrae, twice as many as humans
Ears: large and hidden on head for extreme hearing
Eyes: big and close together for binocular vision Beak: hooked for tearing flesh of oversized prey Wings: huge wings with softened edges allow for silent f light
WHO COOKS FOR YOU? During the day, barred owls are quiet, but at night are recognized by their call: whocooks-for-you.
Talons: claws are less curved for better grip strength— owls suffocate prey trapped in their powerful talons
I O U Q U B D R A H C I R
Puzzling Out Pellets Owls swallow smaller prey whole� but can’t digest bones� fur or feathers� They regurgitate undigestible material in a tight mass called a pellet� Researchers dissect pellets to study what owls eat� but birders can use them to figure out if they’re roosting nearby�
TOP ��
Autumn Superstars Welcome shorter days and longer nights with colorful perennials that light up your late-season garden. BY MELINDA MYERS
1 POLLINATOR APPROVED
Hummingbirds and butterflies, like this pipevine swallowtail, go crazy for the nectar of Alma Potschke aster.
2
� C N I � S E I R E S R U N K E E R C H T R O N � � � � � � � � � M O C � A J N Y W N E E R O D � � � Y R E G A M I K A E R B Y A D / Y A D D R A H C I R � �
1 Alma Potschke aster
2 Mammoth garden mum
SYMPHYOTRICHUM NOVAE�
CHRYSANTHEMUM
ANGLIA E
‘ANDENKEN AN ALMA POTSCHKE�’ ZONES � TO �
MORIFOLIUM
Vivid rose-pin k blooms on this New England aster grab the attention of passersby. Pinch the stems back to 6 inches throughout June to encourage compact growth, sturdier stems and more flowers. Or let it grow (it’ll reach about 4 feet) and surround it with sturdy neighbors.
Bred by the University of Minnesota, this hardy mum is right at home in both the north and south. Grow it in full sun in the garden or a container. This heavy bloomer produces plenty of flowers, so share fresh-from-the-garden bouquets with friends.
Why we love it: Birds and butterflies visit this beauty, which adds motion and life to your yard. BREAKOUT STARS
‘MAMMOTH�’ ZONES � TO �
Why we love it: It’s a large mum that needs no early season pinching to stand upright in your autumn garden.
3 3 Fireworks goldenrod SOLIDAGO RUGOSA
‘FIREWORKS�’ ZONES � TO �
An explosion of bright yellow flowers tops this 3-foot plant. Grow low-maintenance Fireworks in full sun or light shade. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the hay fever culprit. Ragweed, which is often found growing next to goldenrod, causes the sniffles.
Why we love it: Goldenrods are a great nectar and pollen source for fall’s flying pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Popular since the ‘90s, the Mammoth mum series offers plants that
produce thousands of flowers and reach 4 feet across by the second season. Consider these Mammoth giants: Yellow Quill, White Daisy or Lavender Daisy (shown above).
4
4 Lemon Queen sunflower HELIANTHUS
‘LEMON QUEEN�’ ZONES � TO �
Save a spot in the back of the garden for this royal sunflower. Creamy yellow flowers top 6-foot-tall plants from late summer through fall. The upright, bushy plant provides a nice backdrop for neighboring flowers. Pinch the stems back throughout June if you want to keep your plant shorter. Why we love it: It’s great as a cut flower. Plus, hummingbirds and butterflies take advantage of the bright blooms. OCTOBER I NOVEMBE R ����
birdsandblooms.com
15
TOP ��
5
6
5 Joe Pye weed
6 Russian sage
EUTROCHIUM PURPUREUM�
PEROVSKIA ATRIPLICIFOLIA�
ZONES � TO �
ZONES � TO �
Give this big boy some room! It reaches 7 feet tall in full sun to partial shade and moist soil. You and the butterflies will fall in love with the large, fragrant mauvepink flower clusters. Plus, the seed heads persist and add texture to your winter garden.
Blue flowers shine from summer through fall on this stunning heat- and drought-tolerant plant. Grow in full sun and well-draining soil for best results. Prune plants back to 4 inches in late winter or early spring for more compact growth. Or grow a compact variety such as Blue Spires, Lacey Blue or Denim ’n Lace.
Why we love it: For tight spaces, try Little Joe (3 to 4 feet tall) and Baby Joe (32 inches tall). Both of these small options are ideal for rain gardens.
Why we love it: The fragrant foliage adds a bit of aromatherapy to your spring garden cleanup.
MORE ABOUT HELENIUM
7 7 Hot Lava helenium HELENIUM ‘HOT LAVA�’ ZONES � TO �
Hot Lava’s non-drooping, outstretched peta ls provide an ever-changing display of color. The daisy-like flowers open yellow, develop orange and red streaks, and finally mature to red.
Why we love it: Dress up your indoor decor by adding these colorful blossoms to your fall bouquets.
Despite being known as sneezeweed, helenium doesn’t
cause hay fever or the sniffles. Long ago, the leaves were used to make snuff, and Native Americans believed the plant cured fevers and head colds.
Waterlily crocus growing among Angelina sedum
8
8 Waterlily autumn crocus COLCHICUM ‘WATERLILY�’ ZONES � TO �
Add a colorful surprise to the front of your garden with the large leafless blooms of Waterlily autumn crocus. Plant the bulbs in late summer and then enjoy the flowers right away in fall. Next spring, 6- to 14-inch-tall leaves appear for about 8 weeks and then fade away for summer. Each fall, the flowers reappea r, sans leaves.
Why we love it: Autumn crocus looks great among spring-flowering groundcovers.
M R A F R E W O L F E T I H W � � � O T O H P K C O T S Y M A L A / Y H P A R G O T O H P H T I M S N A J Y B S N E D R A G D N A S R E W O L F � � � M O C � S R E N N I W N E O R P � S R E N N I W N E V O R P F O Y S E T R U O C � � � M O C � E C R U O S E R L A I N N E R E P � �
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TOP ��
9 Mr. Goodbud sedum SEDUM ‘MR� GOODBUD�’
ZONES � TO �
There’s a lot to love about this fall-blooming sedum. The red-tinged foliage and purple-red stems add color to your spring and summer garden. Autumn brings contrasting white buds that open into 5- to 6-inch clusters of vibrant purple-pink flowers.
Why we love it: The strong, purple-red stems keep the plant from flopping over. Plus, sedum remains standing for winter interest.
BONUS! MORE FALL HUES
Boost your display with flowering and fruiting shrubs�
9
• Black: Chokeberry • Blue: Car yopteris • Purple: Beautyberry • Red: Firethorn • Off-white:
Northern Bayberry • Yellow: Witch Hazel
10 Hot Lips turtlehead CHELONE LYONII ‘HOT LIPS �’ ZONES � TO �
The vibrant rosy-pink color is sure to lure you in for a closer look at the uniquely shaped flowers. Dark green leaves and red stems add to its appeal. Grow this versatile plant in full sun to part shade.
Why we love it: The species is native to wet woodlands and streams, making it a great choice for those tricky moist areas and rain gardens.
10 18
birdsandblooms.com
OCTOBER I NOVEMBER ����
Melinda Myers recently moved to the country where she has more space to garden. She can’t wait to create a fall garden reminiscent of a beautif ul Monet painting.
A I V O R N O M R O F M O C � A J N Y W N E E R O D � � � � M O C � S E I R E S R U N A V O N A R R E T � S E I R E S R U N A V O N A R R E T F O Y S E T R U O C O T O H P / S N I K R E P & N O S K C A J � �
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YARD SMART S
efore you put your feet up and settle in for the garden off-season, dedicate a few days to getting your landscape tucked in tight. Follow these simple steps to tidy up and prep your yard for a long winter nap.
B
DAY ONE A. M.: TRIM & TIDY
Share divided heirlooms with friends if space is tight in your landscape.
Put Your Garden to Bed For a healthy spring landscape, spend a fall weekend winterizing your yard. BY CRYSTAL RENNICKE 20
birdsandblooms.com
OCTOBER I NOVEMBER ����
Divide your overgrown perennials and cut back the dead foliage on others. Remove any spent annuals and vegetables from the garden—roots and all—and add any disease-free debris to your compost pile. As you yank out plants and weeds, be mindful of pests and diseases. Double-bag and discard diseased plants or foliage. “Some diseases and pests overwinter in plant debris,” says Melinda Myers, horticulture expert. “Remove them in fall to prevent infection next year.” But not everything in your landscape needs to go. “Leave healthy perennials, such as purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, sunflowers and grasses—they provide habitat for beneficial insects, food for birds and interest for the winter landscape,” Melinda says. DAY ONE P.M.: PROTECT & PLAN
Some plants and containers struggle in severe winter temps. Bring pots and nonhardy plants indoors or at least
M O C . S O T O H P N E D R A G / E T I H W Y D U J ; N O T L U O B A I L U J / S O T O H P P A G : T H G I R O T T E L
Use compost to insulate and nourish plants during the cold winter months.
out of the elements. If you’re worried about the survival of plants or pots that must stay outdoors, wrap them in blankets or burlap. As an added measure, surround them with woodchips or bags of potting mix to keep the roots snug and safe from the elements. Cover the plant’s roots, too.“To avoid frost heaving—when the freezing and thawing of the soil shifts and pushes shallow-rooted perennials and bulbs out of the ground—apply evergreen boughs or weed-free straw around your perennial and bulb plantings after the ground freezes,” Melinda
says. “This keeps the soil consistently cold even during a winter thaw.” It’s also a good idea to nourish perennials and annuals by incorporating compost and shredded leaves. Newly planted trees and shrubs are especially vulnerable in the winter and need a little extra attention. “Protect your garden from hungry animals by placing a cylinder of hardware cloth around (not touching) the trun k of young trees and shrubs,” Melinda says. “Sink it several inches into the soil to deter voles, and make sure it is at least 4-feet tall in order to keep rabbits away.”
As the growing season winds down, garden centers slash their prices. Shop around for bargains on plants, tools and pots you can put to good use next year. BE BUDGET SAVVY
DAY TWO:
GO THE
PLANT & MAINTAIN
EXTRA MILE
Once your landscape is all cleaned up, get a jump-start on next year’s garden and plant what you can now. Fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs. Simply make sure you get them in the ground before the soil gets too cold so roots have time to become established. Also use this time to clean and sharpen garden tools, disinfect pots and make necessary repairs around the landscape. It will make your spring prep a breeze! With a yard that’s been perfectly prepped for the winter season, you can rest easy and cozy up for the cold months, dreaming about next year’s garden.
• Divide and transplant some perennials. Hostas, peonies and early bloomers—such as coral bells, phlox, poppies and daisies— benefit from being thinned out. • If you’re an avid veggie gardener or you think your soil will benefit from a dose of organic matter, sow a cover crop to protect and enrich the soil.
OCTOBER I NOVEMBER ����
• Drain your garden hose and bring it in for winter. Wipe it with a rag to remove any mud and moisture, then store it flat in a dry, dark place.
birdsandblooms.com
21
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BIRD TALES
While picking out pumpkins, I saw some broom corn and decided to hang it up near my backyard feeders. The American goldfinches, which had been absent for about a month, quickly came back to eat the seeds and use the broom corn as a perch while waiting for the feeders. It certainly made for a beautiful photograph. James Prutilpac MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA
Fly Into Fall As the weather gets chilly and the air crisp, birds like woodpeckers, chickadees and robins visit backyards for food and shelter. OCTOBER I NOVEMBER ����
birdsandblooms.com
23
BIRD TALES
I was taking photos of some red-winged blackbirds when this female snatched up a dragonfly to feast on. Sometimes an opportunity like this one falls right into your lap, but other times you can shoot all day and not get many keepers. I took this photograph at a marsh connected to Lake George in New York. Don Blais MECHANICVILLE, NEW YORK
There were hundreds of these birds stripping nearby berry bushes one September morning. After I took this photo, I was surprised to learn that these birds are young starlings. I’d always thought that starlings only had black feathers. The darker bird on the right is either a female or young red-winged blackbird. Melissa Rowell VESTAL, NEW YORK
24 birdsandblooms.com
OCTOBER I NOVEMBER ����
One morning, I was watching this snowy egret search for food in Mobile Bay, Alabama. The bird used its foot to stir up the ground, but looked amusingly frustrated and ruffled while doing it. But one of the reasons this photo came out so well is because of the amazing lighting, which was in part due to the cool, crisp air. Benjamin Cash LOXLEY, ALABAMA
EGRET ID TIPS
Snowy egrets have black bills and are smaller than yellowbilled great egrets.
I leave my flowers and seed-bearing plants intact at the end of the growing season because they provide much-needed food for the birds during the fall and winter months. The dried plants also provide a perch for the birds to rest, like a dried sunflower head did for this sweet black-capped chickadee. Kathy Diamontopoulos HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS
BIRD TALES
Living in central Florida is fantastic! Our region has some of the most exciting and gorgeous bird species, like this osprey. As it swooped down to grab a fish, it stretched out its talons as it neared the water’s surface, and I love how I was able to capture its pose at this exact moment. TJ Waller WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA
This pilea pileated ted woodpecke woodpe ckerr landed on a stump near my home and immediately began searching for food. A close look at its beak shows a small insect it found. I was glad I had my Nikon D300 with me so I could get the shot before the woodpecker took off. A friend witnessed the scene and could not believe the bird landed so close to me. Tom Lusk LANSDOWNE, ONTARIO
26
birdsandblooms.com
The easiest way to spot woodpeckers is to use your ears. Listen for their quick tapping on dead trees as they hunt for insects.
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BIRD TALES
After the first cold front of the year, I headed to a local lake for some birding. Thanks to temperatures in the mid-30s, overcast skies and a brisk north wind, the birds stayed sheltered in the underbrush. But finally, my patience paid off. A mixed flock of birds moved through the shadows in front of me toward a yaupon bush full of red berries. I moved to the far side of the bush for better lighting, hoping to photograph one of the birds among the berries. After several minutes, a ruby-crowned kinglet gave me my picture-perfect moment. This was the only good photo I was able to get during the entire outing! Ron Newhouse BRYAN, TEXAS
One day, while hiking at The Arboretum in Guelph, Ontario, I spotted a flock of American robins chowing down on sumac berries. Of course, I had to stop to take several photos. Brenda Doherty ARISS, ONTARIO HOT SPOT
Take a trip to University of Guelph’s arboretum to see their impressive plant collection. 28
birdsandblooms.com
OCTOBER I NOVEMBER ����
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CUTE ROOST BARRED OWLS PERCH QUIETLY DURING THE DAY.
Meet Your
Nocturnal Neighbors backyard come to life as owls swoop through the night skies. BY KEN KEFFER
L L I G N H O J
