From Joshua N Wiley
On Friday evening, I visited a Great Horned Owl’s nest and was privileged to observe two active owlets and their sleepy but watchful mother. It’s been years since I’ve had good looks at owlets of this species. The little ones can be pretty theatrical.
Taken in the last hour of the day. 3/14/25.
Nikon D850, 600 mm, f/5.6 and f/4, ISO 1000, 1/200 second and 1/1000 second.
Montgomery County, Ohio.
Fascinating. It almost seems like it would be a liability having a hole to your lungs right in the middle of your tongue. But I guess it works when you can just swallow your food whole and maybe don’t even have to drink water (?). Maybe a short path to the lungs is helpful for flying.
When you think about having to swallow your food whole, having that air hole in your tongue instead of further back really comes in handy also! If something gets a bit hung up, they can still breathe.
Ohhh yeah, that makes a lot of sense.