While I was watching the owl, neighbor Stanley came by to check the water level of the creek after a night of rain. (he was most instumental in getting the creek rehab program going for the salmon) Owl flew down to the creek and under a log. We thought owl had a mouse or something, but when we finally got an angle where we could see through the weeds we saw owl was bathing.
Owl flew back into the tree, and an RbN landed just a few feet above owl. We thought RbN would become lunch. Owl used it's tail to attract the RbN, sticking it out and moving it back and forth as a pendulem. Made me think of an angler fish. RbN moved ever closer, coming to w/i about 2 feet of owl, but remained above it. I would guess owl needed to dive for prey, as it never did go for RbN. RbN finally flew to the plum tree where I have the suet feeders. Whew!
Owl had already consumed a bird in that little maple where he sat, as evidenced by the feathers I saw clinging to some of the branches when I was viewing my photos. Critters are so amazing to watch.
