Rosanna Loc: Montana

Fun! What an opportunity!!

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

What a great selection of photos, Puglover. Many if the posters here are surprised that the owl didn't eat the squirrel. I am not. A large percentage of the diet for the Western Burrowing owl is insects and other small invertebrates. The squirrel is not even a food source. I had the opportunity many years ago to photograph a family of Burrowing Owls in Fremont, CA.

As a kid, they were all over in the open fields where California Grounds squirrels were located. I set up a blind and shot for two weeks at one of these spots. Over 90% of the food brought back to the young were crickets. Only one mouse was brought in, and it was the introduced House Mouse. The ones you will catch in your mouse traps in your house. They are much smaller than the meadow voles that were present in the field adjacent to the family of owls. Squirrels are too big for these guys.

As for the owls in Fremont, the human population has grown from 10,000 when I was a kid to over 230,000. There are no more owls left. I enjoyed those birds and spent many hours watching them in the evenings. Thank you for bringing back those memories. These were excellent photos.

Puglover Loc: Lakeside Ca.

Thank you Big Guy for looking and commenting!!! This was one of the most fun times I've had taking pictures. These little guys were so cute!!!

Puglover Loc: Lakeside Ca.

Thank you Moose for the thumbs up!!!

Puglover Loc: Lakeside Ca.

Thank you AuntieM!!! I would have to say it was a draw. Every time the squirrel would get close the owl would charge and the squirrel would jump down. It was pretty funny to watch.

janvoigt Loc: South Dakota

If that is a squirrel- it looks like it's been through hell. Where is his fuzzy tail? Interesting.

Lamanup Loc: Darjeeling

Terrific shots! Lucky you. I wonder how it ended.

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

It's a "round tailed ground squirrel", found in the southwest desert. They're tiny, just a few ounces, and tough as hell to survive out there. The one in the photo looks like pictures of them on google. They don't have fuzzy tails.

Puglover Loc: Lakeside Ca.

Thank you Bozsik for looking and the nice comments!!! I also appreciate the information. I was surprised at how much fun they were to watch. It is to bad that wildlife is being pushed out of their area to make more room for people. I am very grateful for our national parks. I love the wilderness. At least once a year I go deep into to the wilderness to just relax. This year we are going to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. It is one of my favorite places. My poor husband, he likes fancy lodges whereas I like a backpack and lots of space. We compromise and do both. Terri

Puglover Loc: Lakeside Ca.

Thank you Sue!!! The squirrel is call a round tail ground squirrel. They are small. At first I thought it was a Prairie dog. Terri

Puglover Loc: Lakeside Ca.

Thank you!!! it was a lot of fun. When we saw the squirrel running around the owl we stayed to watch. It took awhile but it was worth it to get these shots.

Puglover Loc: Lakeside Ca.

It is call a round tail ground squirrel. They are small.

Puglover Loc: Lakeside Ca.

Thank you Lamanup!!! I was very lucky to be able to watch them. I stayed for over an hour. The squirrel ran off and the owl went back in his/her nest. Very entertaining.

Puglover Loc: Lakeside Ca.

I looked them up also David. I should have said the whole name. I thought it was a prairie dog. Thank you for the information. I didn't think they were as ugly as some others did. Terri

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Very entertaining! :thumbup: