Friend of Foe

[Jetz1138]

I was setting up a few things for pond preparation this week. I have several trail cams setup to keep an eye on things. Outside of a raccoon coming back and few mallards stopping by, I caught this image of what appears to be an owl. First question, is it? second, is should I be concerned?

Rob

 

[Patfish]

My neighbor has video of an owl looking in his pond and later a blur flying by snaging a fish. Thinking its same owl

 

[MitchM]

Love it.
The owl could be watching for mice coming to the water's edge.

 

[Jimmy Gibson]

Here in Tennessee.....we have the Barred Owl, which in addition to rodents one of its favorite food is frogs.....and from what I read it has no aversion to Toads it simply skins them before it eats them.....smart bird

 

[Jetz1138]

No that's interesting.... Last year I found a large toad carcass. Like he was eaten from the inside out. I thought it was a raccoon but thought it strange since I'm assuming a raccoon wouldn't be as neat about it.

Also, I know I do have mice around the pond area since I have many large boulders for them to hide it. it would be good if the owl keeps that in check.

 

[RobAmy]

Cool, it would be a friend here

 

[Mmathis]

It looks like an owl. Cool! In general, I don’t thing owls are “fishers,” preferring to hunt ground-dwelling prey. Not saying that’s an absolute, but an in-general. Interesting! I want to set up a cam— just haven’t gotten around to it.

 

[Jetz1138]

I'd suggest getting a trail cam. I'm amazed on what stops by the pond especially at night.. I save all photos, but i think it can help to determine you might have a predator. or areas around the pond they might enter. I was amazed last year to see how far a raccoon will go into the water.

 

[Jetz1138]

 

[CometKeith]

Great pictures. What kind of camera are you using?

 

[Jetz1138]

I have three of the Browning Strike Force Trail Camera's. There are so many different types out there. I'm no expert on them, but this one wasn't the cheapest and not the most expensive and had good reviews.

 

[Jetz1138]

Well... I thought I'd follow up. not sure if this is the right pace to post it. But I had another Raccoon who was really brave and going in the river deep to try and get fish. Here's a photo of him last week really deep in the water. My fish like to go to this part of the stream where the water moves fast from the waterfall. Good news. I trapped this one and another very large raccoon last night. So, they are now relocated..... The Trail CAM really helped in placing my traps and trying to located where they came from in the yard. During the summer months, I have motion sensor sprinklers focused on this area and another that helps chase them.... rob

 

[Jetz1138]

Here's a photo from last night of a raccoon I caught. This is the other end of the pond where it turns into a stream. You can see the fish and the raccoon right behind the light passing fish by and heading for the cat food treat I had waiting to catch him.

 

[j.w]

That's good that you relocated the raccoon's and thanks for sharing the neat pix!