Where do you turn for pest control in Tucson, AZ? Truly Nolen (that's actually the man's name; truly it is) has one of the best known brands in town. The company has nothing on this fellow, though.
The Great Horned Owl frequents both urban and rural properties in Arizona, snoozing by day, and hunting from a high perch at night. You'll see them atop telephone poles, sitting on rooftops or perched in Eucalyptus trees in town.
Rodents - pack rats here in the desert - make up most of the menu for these magnificent night predators in Arizona.
One owl regularly sits on the finial that tops the flagpole in my front yard, twenty feet off the ground. He (or she--they look alike) calls "Whoo! Whoo Whoo!" Out of the night sky comes the return call of another owl, perhaps its mate.
The Great Horned Owl has the distinction of being the only animal that regularly eats skunks. They also kill and eat other owls, such as this barn owl on the right.
If you're looking for pest control in Tucson, AZ, you might just want to sit outside on a summer night and listen.
Somewhere on your street, the Great Horned Owl is doing the job for free!
___________________
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE
Call me if I can help you or someone you know with a purchase or refi mortgage;
(520) 349-9090
photos copyright Mike in Tucson
EDIT:
We went to the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum last night and watched a live presentation on raptors of the Arizona Desert. The owl was sitting on the Docent's leather-gloved hand, and (as always) I happened to have my camera.
I had no idea they ate skunks. Wow.
We have owls here and they can be heard on a quiet evening. Folks underestimate the value of these wonderful creatures who have the power to maintain the balance of nature, when left alone by man with his poisons.
Give me a few owls to keep the mouse and snake population under control and a few buzzards to do the clean up work and we'll be fine.
I didn't know owls ate skunks either. However, you do have to make sure your cats are in at night, so I suppose a skunk is not much different. Other than they really stink.
Lenn has the right idea, I would add a few bats to the mix. They are the best at mosquito control. Great photos.
Cool picture. I love wordless Sundays to see what kind of unique shots are going to show up. Keep up the great work mas you offer some great ones.
Beautiful picture, Mike. So do owls get sprayed when they catch skunks? I wonder, is that dinner of choice for them? Interesting piece and well written.
And bats.
If they eat skunks I recommend that Anthony Mozilo doesn't visit Tucson.
What beautiful creatures. Agree with the bat fans too as they do so much good and are fascinating. Have a great Sunday Mike.
One of my favorite birds... except one time I rescued a few baby Carolina wrens... had them in a box on our front porch and the mother was doing great - they were getting larger by the days. Then they started disappearing one by one - knew they weren't old enough to fly... came home one afternoon to actually SEE the OWL (don't ask me what kind as I'm not that good) sitting on a branch in the front yard. sad but nature...
We have a few here in Florida. I see the same one every night when I take my dog for his late night business. Last night he swooped by in front of me...guess he figured I was too big!
Mike,
Two very nice pictures but I do like the looks of the Great Horned Owl and the story that went with it.
Mike, I am surprised you have any politicians left in AZ... :) Kate Ford
PS That truly is a remarkable up close and personal picture of an owl.
Mike,
My house backs up to the CDO wash in Tucson and it is my theory that you have 10 times the wildlife that we do. What is your secret? I enjoyed the post.
Beautiful! I had no idea they ate skunks! I hear the owls at night, and I wish I could see them. I'd like to know what kind of owls I have here.
Mike - we have a few of these owls in the woods behind us. They are keen hunters and certainly minimize the rodent population that could be foraging in our yard. LOL For this I thank them! I can also hear a screech owl now and then, off in the distance. I think his hunting ground is the shallow ravine toward the river.
As usual - your photo of this magnificent creature is stunning. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Nice Localism post, Mike. And it was good talking to you on the phone the other day.
Erica
Hi Mike,
what a great picture of the owl.....I love owls, they are entitled to eat whatever they want as far as I'm concrned.
Protect these beautiful creatures for sure.
Patricia Aulson/portsmouth
Interesting Blog. Thanks for writing.
Mike,
Even a fiberglass replica is enough to keep birds off your boat! We had an inflatable one until our cat attacked it.
Bill
Hi Mike: I don't see many owls in my neck of the woods - but we do have bats to take care of the mosquitoes.
:)
And the owl is cheaper still -- so that is a plus!! -- great photo.
Mike - great post! One of the things about Tucson that makes it such a fun place to live is the proximity to the desert and its wildlife. Growing up in Tucson as I did, I can say with very little qualification that Phoenix does not compare! (Of course, the morning rattling wake-up call by the Gila Woodpecker that used to pound my chimney daily was not so much fun...!)
Vince
Mike - great photographs as always, and I did not know they ate skunks. Thanks for an excellent post!
In fact, it would be good to have owls here, because we have skunks, and the dog has gotten sprayed many times!!! Oh well!
The horned owl looks like one of the characters from "Watchmen".
The Sonoran Desert Museum is one our favorite places - as is the Tanque Verde Ranch. You live in a truly wonderful part of the world.
Michael
These are magnificent birds Mike. We had a pair when we lived at the lake house that lived there. I used to love wtaching them at dusk swooping down and catching their prey.
Kill and eat shunks. I can only imagine what one of these would smell like sitting in your yard.
All,
Wow! Featured & 28 comments! That's how Sunday's go. Thanks to each of you for commenting. Two of you asked questions.
I'll answer the questions here, and I'll see each one of you on your blogs to reciprocate properly!
I don't know that we have more wildlife here than you have on the CDO Wash. My secret? I always, always have my camera with me.
Judi Barrett,
Do the owls get sprayed when they kill skunks? I don't know the answer to that, but National Geographic says it is so. Click the link for more info. There's even a printable fact sheet for the kids!
Mike in Tucson
Mike - That is one gorgeous owl, beautiful!
VB : )
I've been using Truley since I moved to FL and even referred them some business in the past. I haven't seen any owls yet...maybe I can get a discount.
Magnificent bird. We don't have many Owls in the area at least I don't think so.
Hi Mike
It sound the owl is serving a public service, they must smell great after a skunk lunch.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Hi Mike~ That picture of the Owl is fascinating! The eyes are so interesting.... congrats on the feature and Happy Sunday to you!
What a fabulous picture of a very fabulous bird there, Mike! And it perches right outside of your home, eh? No pest problems for you, then. How fortunate!
I didn't realize all the benefits on the owl. Thanks for sharing this with us and I'll be on the lookout in my neighborhood.
Hi Mike- The Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum is one of my favorite places in the world. When I lived in Tucson, I took as many trips over the hill as I could to visit it. Thanks for the great post and great photos. Now, I just need to get down to Tucson and visit again.
Mike, What a magnificent picture. I have only seen an owl once in my life...when I was visiting Arizona. I didn't know what it ate but I couldn't stop staring at it. Just a beautiful shot.
Great pictures Mike. I didn't know owls also ate other owls. I just like to look at the pictures.
Mike,
Your photos are so awesome....when are you putting together a photo album? Thanks for your comments on my blog.....I'm making a new commitment to Active Rain. Stop by the new office someday and let's catch up on life.
Dana Lim/Allstate Insurancce
The Arboretum in Flagstaff has live raptor presentations daily! They run a rescue operation there. And the handlers also bring the raptors out for lunch presentations (the raptors don't eat).
Tip: if you don't have one handy, buy a plastic one. I'm convinced it has scared away our prairie dogs.
Ann,
That's something I'd like to visit and see!
Dana,
I'll do that! Thanks for stopping by to comment. See you on your blog.
Michael,
Thanks for being a regular on my blog; let's grab lunch together.
Carole,
Isn't it time for another visit to Arizona?
Heather,
I'm with you; it's my favorite place to take friends who come visit from the rest of the planet.
IMF,
You're welcome!!
William,
I credit two predators for keeping the packrats away: The Barn Owl, and The Western Diamond Rattlesnake that lives in the arroyo out back. :)
Vickie,
The ayes eyes have it!
Lou,
I hope never to get close enough to smell one after a "skunk lunch." LOL
Neal,
Do they have antique autos as billboards in Florida like they do here in Tucson?
Vegas Bob,
Thanks for saying so! See you on your blog.
Mike in Tucson
UM,
Great photo! Way to keep the streak alive!
Kev,
Welcome back to the desert!
Mike in Tucson
Wow! What great photos!
We at Truly Nolen (yup, I work there and Truly is my father) love owls. Bats and lizards are other great insect and pest eating creatures in nature and in the desert. It's one of the reasons why maintaining healthy owl, bat and lizard populations are so important. I even have a pet lizard whom I feed live crickets to for breakfast!
Michelle
Michelle,
What an honor to have you comment on my blog! I'd love to follow up with a post about the company. Please contact me through Active Rain, and I'll call you.
Mike in Tucson
Hi Mike - Love your post, and the photos. Makes me want to head back to the High Desert Museum enar Bend Oregon where they have several owls. I've heard them here in Medford, but haven't spotted one yet. We've put up a bat house in one of the pines on the back of our lot to encourage their presence - and help in keeping the mosquito population down!
Karen,
The High Desert Museum is one place that's eluded me thus far. I'd like to change that; it sounds like a wonderful place. Have you written a Localism post about it?
Mike in Tucson
Mike - I had no idea that they went after skunks! I'm at JD's and we are enjoying your blog and especially your pictures.
I have been reading your blog last couple of weeks and enjoy every bit. Thanks. pest control saint George
Pest,
It's time to sign up for Active Rain so we can get to know you. Please send me an email through AR.
Brother Dan,
How did I miss your comment? Hope you're doing well.
Mike in Tucson