Continuing from my previous post about our great Burrowing Owl photo hunt with a lot more cuteness and a little more information about the place where they live.
Cape Coral is the next City to our Florida home in North Fort Myers. It is the largest City in Southwest Florida -- actually larger in population than Fort Myers, and larger in area than Miami-- but almost unknown out of this area -- almost as if it were a stepchild of its more well-known neighbor.
One of the reasons may be because Cape Coral is a new City. It was created in 1958 by two brothers, speculators from Baltimore, who came to the area looking for land to develop. Eventually, Leonard and Jack Rosen and those who followed them changed the peninsula once known as Redfish Point, into the largest master-planned community in the United States. It was incorporated as a city in 1970. It is noted for it's canals, with over 400 miles of canals and riverfront. (More history here.)
While all this development was taking place, fortunately some people noticed that the whole area was home to a lot of Florida burrowing owls. (The largest population of this species in the world.) An organization called "Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife" has been instrumental in making sure that these birds are protected. You can go to this link for more information.
Even though these owls actually live year round in Cape Coral, all owls are considered migratory birds and are protected by Federal and State statutes. It is illegal to harm them in any way.
The nesting sites are fenced off with stakes and string. The stakes make great places for the owls to perch. When the female has eggs and tiny chicks in the burrow, the male will stand on one for hours guarding his family.
We found this one on a stake in front of a fence.
Just a couple more pictures of these cuties perched and watching.
LINKING TO: SIGNS SIGNS ; GOOD FENCES; and SATURDAY CRITTERS and RATHER B'BIRDING.
Thank you to all of the hosts.
They're adorable! You got some great photos of them.
Posted by: Gunilla | May 28, 2016 at 07:16 AM
Oh yes! I've looked at both you owl posts and they are very definitely cute! I had never heard of burrowing owls. It's very fortunate that the impact of the development on the owls' natural habitat was noticed, and that measures were put in place to protect them.
Posted by: Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers | May 17, 2016 at 08:10 AM
goodness, they are adorable. i enjoy discovering new wildlife and then researching their story, it's amazing the joy it brings!! lucky you, to have had such a wonderful visit and experience. and lucky them to have volunteers protecting them!!!
i hope you had a wonderful weekend!!!!
Posted by: Debbie | May 15, 2016 at 06:15 PM
Interesting info about Cape Coral! I love the burrowing owls! Great shots! I am so glad their area is protected.
Posted by: Marie-AZ | May 15, 2016 at 08:59 AM
Wonderful shots of those owls, Sallie.
~
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | May 15, 2016 at 08:29 AM
Hello Sallie, the babe is so sweet and vulnerable. It's surprising how they carry on family life in such public view. This bird is new to me...thanks for sharing their story....Have a wonderful week!
Posted by: Ruby | May 15, 2016 at 02:28 AM
Awww...Sallie, the owls are so cute. Have a wonderful Sunday!
Posted by: nancy chan | May 14, 2016 at 11:33 PM
Before reading your post I knew nothing about this city ! The baby owl is so cute with his large eyes. It's strange (for me !) to see owls during the day : here they are nocturnal, but I dont'know too much about them. I hope for you and your neighbors that the woodpecker has found a "fiancée" !
Posted by: Annie | May 14, 2016 at 11:08 PM
Too cute for words
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | May 14, 2016 at 07:00 PM
Wow! So cute! Min is a handsome brute, too!
Posted by: JennJilks | May 14, 2016 at 12:23 PM
Hello Sallie, I just love these adorable owls! Great post. Thanks for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
Posted by: Eileen | May 14, 2016 at 10:20 AM
Hi Y'all!
Owls are very interesting birds. Great photos.
Y'all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Posted by: Hawk aka BrownDog | May 14, 2016 at 08:43 AM
Absolutely gorgeous, Sallie, and I am so glad they are protected.
Posted by: Linda | May 14, 2016 at 07:52 AM
Love these photos!
Linda
Posted by: Linda | May 14, 2016 at 07:42 AM
With all the population growth in FL, to continue for some time, I am happy someone had the decency and common sense to provide for some of the little owls. Truly a heartwarming tale.
Posted by: Dianne | May 14, 2016 at 07:08 AM
Sallie, I love the cute eyes of the fist one!
Posted by: Jedidja | May 14, 2016 at 07:08 AM
such cute owls, it seems they're well looked after too....
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | May 14, 2016 at 02:14 AM
Burrowing Owl is a wonderful little bird and I hope that we can do more to protect its habitat and and remove some of its predatory threats like domestic cats. I have seen this species in numerous places; in Florida it was on the campus of Florida Atlantic University.
Posted by: David Gascoigne | May 13, 2016 at 04:17 PM
Wonderful images, and thank for all the great information.
Posted by: Eden Hills | May 13, 2016 at 11:07 AM
this owl is really cute :) Great images.
Posted by: NatureFootstep | May 12, 2016 at 11:37 PM
So cool and great that these birds are protected. They are so curious looking.
Posted by: Yogi | May 12, 2016 at 06:48 PM
Looked at your last post too Sallie. They are cute little gals and fellas. What a joy it must be to watch them.
Posted by: Felicia | May 12, 2016 at 06:31 PM
If having the area roped off is not enough to deter vandals, Dad should do the trick!
Posted by: Lesley | May 12, 2016 at 12:49 PM
Gorgeous colors in that first owl photo ~ love shots!
Happy Weekend to you ~ ^_^
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | May 12, 2016 at 12:45 PM
How wonderful that they have such a protected area. They are great looking birds and it's fun to see them perched on those fence posts.
Posted by: Ida P. Krause | May 12, 2016 at 09:15 AM
That first picture is printable, frameable and hangable ... you could make a few bucks selling them to visitors of the area :) I love your owls. I used to come to Florida every year when my parents were alive and lived in Sun City Center. Never made it down to see the owls though ... that was before I had time to pursue my interest in raptors. I love this series on the Burrowing Owls :)
Andrea @ From the Sol
Posted by: Andrea @ From The Sol | May 12, 2016 at 08:06 AM
she is too cute. so glad volunteers help protect them!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | May 12, 2016 at 06:09 AM
They are beautiful birds. The info was interesting too.
Posted by: diane | May 12, 2016 at 05:26 AM
Hello Sallie!:)An amazing area, and great to know it's protected, but I still find it difficult to get my head around birds living underground. A unique species for sure, and it's once more a pleasure to see these beautiful little owls here on your blog. Wonderful captures,... those posts are a good idea.
Posted by: breathtaking | May 12, 2016 at 04:28 AM
Oh my goodness! Those owlies are cute!!! How lucky to see them in person. :D
Posted by: Halcyon | May 12, 2016 at 02:46 AM
Wonderful photos, Sallie! I'm glad concerned citizens prevented over development and saved their nesting sites. I have a good friend and her husand that retired to Cape Coral--I'll have to see if she sees these owls near where she lives.
Posted by: Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti | May 11, 2016 at 10:20 PM
Too cute.
Posted by: Jim | May 11, 2016 at 06:39 PM
I agree - they are very beautiful and your photos are really nicely done!
Have a Happy Week ahead, Sallie!
Peace :)
Posted by: Chandra@GreenComotion | May 11, 2016 at 06:39 PM
what a great idea- protecting the owls! I love looking at owls- their faces seem full of expression.
Posted by: Nonnie | May 11, 2016 at 06:24 PM
We have the same, good laws. People can be so stupid with wildlife...
Posted by: JennJilks | May 11, 2016 at 05:55 PM
I could look at these owls all day. They are fascinating! I also enjoyed reading about the history of the area. Thanks!
Posted by: Lois | May 11, 2016 at 05:47 PM
That is wonderful. I didn't know this was such a large city!
Posted by: RedPat | May 11, 2016 at 04:49 PM
Great sign.
My SIGNS, SIGNS
Posted by: Photo Cache | May 11, 2016 at 03:50 PM
Don't they have the most adorable faces? Great shots Sallie!
Posted by: DeniseinVA | May 11, 2016 at 03:15 PM
Fabulous...love every view of the owls!
Posted by: ellen b | May 11, 2016 at 02:26 PM
great shots Sallie!
Posted by: tom the backroads traveller | May 11, 2016 at 02:24 PM
You got such wonderful photos! Oh, I hope I get to see one one of these days! Enjoy your week! Hugs, Diane
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | May 11, 2016 at 02:14 PM
I wonder if folks in Cape Coral value being a little less known and, therefore, less congested. Wow … this is cuteness overload with the burrowing owls. It is strange to think of a bird nesting in a hole in the ground rather than a tree. I imagine mice and such would be sparser in neighborhoods where these creatures exist!
Posted by: Penelope Puddlisms | May 11, 2016 at 02:14 PM
Oh they are so cute! We lived in Midland, TX for 2 years and there were several colonies of burrowing owls there.
Posted by: Florence | May 11, 2016 at 02:07 PM
What great looking owl photos. These are such interesting birds and are great at getting rid of mice.
Posted by: Taken For Granted | May 11, 2016 at 01:59 PM
For some reason, even though we often spent vacations in the Ft. Myers, Naples, Sanibel areas, I thought Cape Coral was merely a bump in the road. Nice to see that the burrowing owls are going to be protected in the future. They are nice little critters.
Posted by: Lowell | May 11, 2016 at 01:09 PM
OH My sooo very cute...Glad they are protected!
Posted by: Sondra-SC | May 11, 2016 at 01:02 PM
Hello Sallie, thanks for sharing the info on Cape Coral. I did not realize it was such a large city. The burrowing owls are so cute. Great photos and post. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!
Posted by: Eileen | May 11, 2016 at 12:12 PM
So cute!
Posted by: Mama Zen | May 11, 2016 at 12:02 PM