Yes, the age old question was answered shortly after sunrise yesterday at the Pelican Ballfields in Cape Coral. The parakeets wanted to say hello to all the Burrowing Owls! While the uninformed might believe the answer was really to find better seeds, I knew better!

Monk Parakeets Crossing the Road

Monk Parakeet Crossing the Road Video (video link for email subscribers)

Burrowing Owl Couple #1

Burrowing Owl Couple #1 Video A (you can actually hear the parakeets in the background!)(video link for email subscribers)

Burrowing Owl Couple #1 Video B (video link for email subscribers)

More pics of Burrowing Owl Couple #1

Burrowing Owl Couple #2 (outer eyelid is closed on one owl … protecting against sunlight and dust)

Burrowing Owl Bachelor

Monk Parakeets. These birds are from Argentina, but over years and years so many parakeets have escaped from captivity (think pets) there is now a large wild population in Florida, and even colonies in locations such as Chicago and Brooklyn.

One might wonder why I am posting early in the morning rather than birding. My plan today is to head over to the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve on Sanibel Island and bike the wilderness drive. Normally the best birding is right at sunrise, but with shore and wading birds, low tide should be your target time of day. The retreating tide creates shallow tidal pools where small fish and other yummies are easier pickings for birds.