The stunning Barred Owl shown with Martin Schweig in the fabulous photo above is not the creature you would expect to come down your chimney a couple of days before Christmas--or ever. But that's what happened to friends who live on Westmoreland Place. Here is the story as related to me:
Shortly before Christmas the homeowner noticed her dogs prancing excitedly outside the doors to her Christmas tree room. When she walked in to investigate she saw this beautiful and very large owl sitting in the fireplace staring back at her, rather stunned at the situation. She quickly backed out of the room and immediately called our mutual friend Martin Schweig, whom you've read about several times recently on this blog. She asked Martin if she should call the Zoo for help. Martin, who has been working with birds his entire adult life and seems to have established a rapport that might qualify him as the local "bird whisperer," responded, "NO! I'll be right over."
Upon arrival, Martin coaxed the frightened owl out of the fireplace onto his gloved hand and carried her (gender confirmed by Martin) outside to a table on the patio. He thinks the owl was probably chasing squirrels (a noble occupation) when she fell down the chimney. After several minutes the owl flew into a nearby tree and stayed there a while, seemingly trying to figure out what had just happened. While she was resting, another amazing incident occurred when a peregrine falcon landed near her and peered down at the humans below as if to see whether the owl needed backup. Eventually however, sensing the excitement was over, the birds flew off in different directions.
Many thanks to my friends for letting me share this story of living with nature in the Central West End, and for sending along the absolutely amazing photo!
P. S. - For more on local owl sightings check out Mark H. X. Glenshaw, "the Forest Park Owlman's" blog which I heard about last weekend: forestparkowls.blogspot.com
I think the owl and hawk are a team. We saw a similar owl and hawk on Lenox Place, east of Euclid a year ago.
Posted by: Nancy Newman Rice | 01/05/2011 at 06:58 PM
Love this! As always, Martin has the neighborhood wilderness under control. He came to retrieve one of his owls (Myrna) stalking our neighbors' koi pond one summer night in 1976. Ask him to tell the story of the lion and his evening stroll in the alley behind Maryland Av. maybe 1969? One of our favorites CWE tales!
Happy new year, Nicki!
Posted by: charlotte lyons | 01/06/2011 at 08:09 PM
A darn nice picture of the two wise owls
Posted by: John | 01/06/2011 at 08:54 PM