NOVEMBER 2015 • NEBRASKAland 45
speculated.
Intrigued by the new residents,
Moser set up an infrared camera near
the owls' nest to capture their flying
patterns and feeding process. For the
next few months, Moser photographed
the owls' behavior: the two adults
bringing mice, snakes, and rabbits to
the two chicks; the owlets exercising
their wings to fly; the owls spending
their time eating leftovers, sleeping,
grooming each other and watching
cars pass by from their barn window
vantage point.
In late April, Moser snapped a
picture of one of the fledglings leaning
its head against the fake owl, its eyes
halfway closed. After that the chick
was gone. The last picture Moser took
of the owls shows a parent that had
returned to the nest with a mouse,
discovering that there were no longer
any chicks left to feed.
Moser's photography equipment and
experience enabled him to observe the
owls' behavior, but he credits the fake
owl for drawing them to his barn. Not
only did Moser gain insight and respect
for the birds of prey but he also acquired
additional protection for his flower beds.
Though the owls have left, the decoy
remains, and Moser hopes that the owls
will return to the nest next year. ■
Callie Rietfors is a freelance writer in
Denton. This is her second feature for
NEBRASKAland Magazine. Her first,
"Flying Saucers," appeared in the
June 2015 edition.
A great horned owl flies from photographer Brad Moser's barn, where an owl decoy
had been placed, near Hickman.
