Barred Owls are almost the same size as the Great Horned Owl but they do not have feather “horns”, but instead they have a perfectly round face. The call of this bird is the classic “Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all” or in owl talk: hoo hoo too HOO, hoo hoo too HOO ooo. This bird does not hunt the fly, but rather sits on a branch and watches until it can swoop down on its prey. They have quite a variety in their diet, small mammals, including rats, squirrels, young rabbits, bats, moles, opossums. They like birds that the owl catches as they are settling off to sleep on their nocturnal roosts. They will also swoop down to catch frogs and other amphibians and occasionally fish. The large prey are carried to a branch and torn apart, leaving a pile of feathers or fur scattered on the ground. Highlands Hammock offers the deep moist forests, wooded swamps and woodlands near waterways that they prefer to live in. It’s sometimes fun to answer their calls if you hear them around dusk, sometimes, if you’re good enough you’ll attract them and get a closer look before it gets too dark.
This geocache is placed in Highlands Hammock State Park with the permission of park management. All locations must be approved by the Volunteer Geocache Coordinator Sarah Straub (DTISarah@gmail.com) and adhere to the guidelines set by the park for geocache placement.
Vehicles are not permitted to park on any roadway within the park boundary. All vehicles must park within designated parking areas. The park is open from 8:00AM until sundown, 365 days a year. The admission fees are as follows: $6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass. Camping is available in the park as well.
Highlands Hammock State Park's Website
For more information about accessing cache locations please visit the ranger station to view a copy of Essential Eligibility Criteria for Geocaching at Highlands Hammock State Park.
Please remember to cache responsibly and stay on designated trails.