One of the myriad of reasons to climb the Prince Phillip's Steps and take the trail along the top is the hope of spotting the hard to spot Galapagos Short Eared Owl. We are all looking, but we were not all finding.
Suddenly we saw the group ahead of us clustered and pointing. We knew then that they had spotted one. Three kids were on the trip (of the 35 people), and one of them were sharp-eyed enough to see it. Very impressive finding.
A little bit on the Galapagos Short Eared Owl from the website animalcorner.org:
"The Short Eared Owl is a medium sized owl averaging 34 – 43 centimetres (13 to 17 inches) in length and weighing 206 – 475 grams (11 to 13 ounces). It has large eyes, big heads, short necks and broad wings. Its beak is short, strong, hooked and black. Its plumage is mottled tawny to brown with a barred tail and wings. The upper breast is significantly streaked."
Also of interest from galapagosconservation.org.uk:
"The Galapagos short-eared owl has developed a unique hunting behaviour on Genovesa island, at a colony of storm petrels. The petrels nest deep in tunnels in the lava rock, usually out of reach of the owls. However the owls have learnt to stalk nearby, watching the petrels as they enter and leave the tunnels. The owls then wait close by for the petrel to leave the tunnel and catch them unawares. Another technique they use is to hide in the entrance of the tunnel to grab a petrel as it flies in."
It was extremely hard to find even knowing it was there. Any time I took my eye, or lens, off it, I had to use some tricks to find it -- first find the discolored ground, and then look further and to the left to find it.
And now to the photos:
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