You know this winter has gone on for too long when...

it's Thursday night and for your weekend entertainment you are seriously considering:

Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge
Jump into the freezing cold waters of Twin Lakes Recreation area to raise money for the Special Olympics.
Palatine High School VIP Dinner Dance
27th annual dinner and auction event
The Bridge Beats the Winter Blues
Casual night of dinner and friendly but competitive games.


And, yes, even though I love owls, I want to scream,


Owl Prowl
Learn about the special adaptations owls have as silent predators and why they are important members of the wildlife community. Take a hike and try to lure owls out with recorded calls. Event is for adults only.
(Adults only!?!)


From the Palantine Patch:  And you still want more? Click here

But Can a Leopard Change His Spots?

Dateline: Helsinki

According to a report in USA Today, researchers at the University of Helsinki are reporting that the milder winters are causing a shift in the survival rates of two varieties of the Finnish Tawny owl.  Over some 20 odd years of study revealed that the gray variety does better in winter than the brown variety. But with the milder winters of late (less snow) the brown variety is now doing better than the gray.  The guess is that other animals hunting the owls find it harder to spot the gray when there's more snow and they find it harder to spot the brown when there's less snow.

I don't think Chuck Darwin would be surprised in the least.

Eule Goes Hollywood-Mariachi Style

Yet another movie with Owls!  Well, this story isn't exclusively about owls like the Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole  but Rango does have owls!  Recently, some of the stars of Rango (Where's Johnny Depp?) were in Berlin to promote the film.  Opens March 4th in the U.S.A. und am dritten März in Deutschland.


Look for it in a theater near you.



Pic from: The Examiner.com

But Baby, It's Cold Outside

Sure it's a cold and SNOWY winter.  But can Spring be far off?

As reported in the Richmond-Times Dispatch, Great Horned owls are beginning their search for a mate. The owl's hooting in the hours of early morning are apparently a prelude to mating.

Perhaps we should take a cue from the owls.....

Carmen McRae & Sammy Davis Jr-Baby, It's Cold Outside

Can't We All Just Get Along?

In the 1980's the notorious/famous Spotted owl defeated loggers in the Pacific Northwest. Now they face a new challenge:  The Barred Owl.   According to The Scientific American, "These birds are more aggressive, can live in any type of forest, and eat more types of food than spotted owls, making them more adaptable to the current Pacific Northwest landscape."
Of course, the Spotted owl is still losing it's habitat to man, as well.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed controlling (killing?)  some of the Barred owl population .


 vs  vs 
Bets on the winner, anyone?
Reorted in The Scientific American.

I Prefer the Wings

  Dateline:  Bethel, Maine  A Barred owl was caught inside a barn where it had been decapitating one chicken a day and flying off with the heads.   According to the article on the Bloomberg News website, Wildlife biologist Judy says chickens are too big for owls to carry off and owls are notorious for eating heads. She says many animals that owls live on, such as squirrels and voles, live under the snow.

Apparently the owl was starving to death.  Rough winter.  Make mine extra spicy.

Taco Bell: Think Outside the Bun

Dateline: Crystal Lake, IL

Apparently, a Great Horned Owl attempted to make a meal out of Chico, a Chihuahua.  The owl would have had its lunch had it not gotten tangled in the dogs leash.  Chico was slightly injured and may have been spared further damage by wearing his puffy winter jacket (ala George Costanza). See the rest of the story here

¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!