Taunting the great horned owl

One of the great horned owls likes to sit up in a live oak tree above the dry creek during the day. Sometimes he gets very little rest. This video shows him being taunted by a squirrel, a titmouse, and a hawk - either just for sport or to try to irritate him enough to make him leave.

Eventually he did leave, and a gray fox came along and took a nap right on the owl's favorite perching spot, seemingly unafraid that the owl might swoop in and attack him. For the fox, it would not have been a good place to engage in a fight since he was about 25' high above the solid rock creek bed.

#greathornedowl #texaswildlife #backyardwildlife

[burtonify]

I am absolutely blown away by the sight of a fox 20 feet in the air taking a nap on a tree limb!!! HUH???? The things I learn here.
As if that bird picking fur off a sleeping fox wasn't a big enough of a surprise.
Thanks for the uploads TBW!!!!

[grantcritchfieldstexastrai]

`Great video capture. The owl is patient & just taking names of his daytime tormenters. He knows that he owns the night & there will be payback. Thanks for posting.

[FurKidsHavingFun]

So amazing to see an owl just relaxing in a tree. I have always loved owls. Thank you for posting.

[danb]

The only thing wrong with this video is that it’s not ten times as long. I enjoyed every moment of it.

[edbroaotearoa]

I was expecting another random animal like a cow after the fox

[stevenfrost]

Seeing that grey fox up in that tree in Central Texas brought back so many great childhood memories for me. I was raised in Central Texas (around Burnet) and my dad used to trap for fur back in the late 70's and early 80's and one time while running his trap line on a cold January night we came across a grey fox asleep in a tree. I can still see that fox up there asleep! So Very Cool! Thank You!

[johncopeland]

Wow...do you see how the owl's feathers blend into the tree bark so seemlessly as camouflage? Wow ...

[abbywinters]

They were all honoring his awesomeness!❤

[XiaoFury]

The owl is trying to nap, and everything wants to bother him.

[donaldstanfield]

And the owl is seeing breakfast, lunch, and dinner whilst drowsing the day away...mmm-mmmm

[marco]

Conclusion: Don't waste your money on owl decoys for pest control.

[davidspin]

I recognize that squirrel from the Geicko Commercial. He actually does his own stunts...

[fredericklockard]

These things are amazing. When they hoot it echoes through the whole forest.

[avonavians]

This observation is probably where the myth that owls are wise came from.
The other animals seem to be attracted to the owl's presence, as if they are seeking wise advice.

[axegrind]

Owl: Yea..I’ll see you guys tonight. Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.

[U.Odyssey]

The owl looked disgusted by the tiny bird lol

[seti]

I didn't know foxes can climb trees!! 😮

[Commonwealth]

Owl's just trying to get some sleep and these little shits keep him up.

[Anna-ofkk]

They all passed the fraternity test. Brothers of the woods lol

[missvida]

Absolutely beautiful, majestic animals. One of my favorite animals