Look out, Susan! Junior's horny!

(I will explain that title in a minute)

My camera is working!

First, a shot of the dogs looking out the window for no good reason.

Per Pam's request, a shot of a hummingbird nest in one of our maples. I love to watch the leaves fall and expose those tender, tiny nests. Can't see it? It's that dark spot in the middle of the picture.
And now, hot owl action...

Junior, RAPTOR's resident(released) great horned owl, is feeling l'amour. He was hanging out as usual when I picked up some birds for a program tonight. But instead of his usual "baby" talk, (i.e. begging call) he was hooting. And lifting his tail. And fluffing out his pretty white ruff.

Here you can see behind him, his tail is fanned out, and his white ruff is all poofed up.
After the program, I dropped off the birds. At one point, I heard a noise that sounded like a dog. Correction: It sounded like a person trying to sound like a dog. All the hair on my arms went straight up. I got a flashlight and checked out the yard in the direction of the sound, and it was goofy Junior. I didn't know GHO's could sound like dogs.

I said goodnight to Junior, got in my car, and drove up to the house on the RAPTOR property to drop off some stuff. As I was turning toward the house, I saw a blur out of the corner of my left eye. I looked over and saw something light-colored streak by. Now, it's dark and creepy at RAPTOR at night, and I was paranoid anyway. I blinked a few times and kept walking, and then heard hooting above me and to the right. Junior had flown over my head and landed on the power lines above me. I guess this is Junior's first mating season, and he's a bit early...GHO's usually start nesting activity in December or January. I suppose he is tuning his pipes, and practicing on me. Oh, good Lord... is Junior thinking that I am a suitable mate? I better keep an eye out while I am at RAPTOR at night. He might get some ideas.