Redfox8

You make such an effort in doing this I'm more than happy to support you and join in the discussions. Being the final a little extra effort was made! :)

Saw Whet's in the lead as I type, but not by much.

Some more votes for EEO folks, let's make it the biggest AND the best!!

What? No Icarus?! "Fly, on your way, like an eagle, fly, touch the sun"

Ahh I've missed so many rounds this week, so busy & wiped from work! I missed my Snowy vs Barn owl round, which would have been an impossible choice, and now they're both out!

So Saw Whet vs Eurasian Eagle in the grand final, so different yet both pretty awesome looking birds! Do I go with the Snowy-beater as a sign of respect, or against in spite?!!

Maybe a more fairer approach is needed so some research: "The arrival of a new Eagle Owl in the vicinity causes panic amongst other birds of prey and a general re-arrangement of territories usually follows as its new neighbours try to give it a wide berth." Now that's one mean BoP!

"They prey mainly on mammals, chiefly rabbit and hare, but have been known to take roe deer and foxes which they kill by crushing their skulls with their huge, powerful feet." Oof, even I'd keep well clear of such a beast!!

Top points for being the king of the jungle (well forest really!) https://theowlstrust.org/owl-facts/eurasian-eagle-owl-facts/

So Saw Whet, what've you got?

"Saw-whet Owls may be preyed upon by larger species of owls and hawks. Starlings and squirrels compete with them for nesting cavities and also plunder nests and kill owlets." For such a teeny owl it's inevitable to get a lot of greif but you've got to be a tough little cookie to not get completely pushed around! Bonus points for taking on the big bad world!

"A true night owl....When prey is plentiful, they will kill more than they can eat at once, caching the excess in a safe place." A few extra points for intelligent resource use and tactical survival, I think!

https://abcbirds.org/bird/northern-saw-whet-owl/

So does that help me choose....well not much, but good to learn a little more about these big-eyed feathery creatures!

I think I'm won over by EEOs conquering of snowy, no mean feat, and it's all round bossing of its territory! I may well have doubts after my vote is cast, but the choice is now made! Go EEO!!

Awesome! Can't wait for some more Cunk!

That's a very striking double crest going on, but no match for the bedazzling fine stylings of pure white with black speckling!

First pic of the Snowy: in a sultry voice "yeah....you know you're gonna vote for me and I know you won't be able to resist!"

*clicks upvote for Snowy

"Hey he/she was right!"

Two fabulous looking owls with much going for each of them in different ways. I'd toss a coin this round if it wasn't for the "yeah it's windy and I'm not happy about it!" look that tips it. That's one big bird not to mess with!

First of my favourites to catch a vote from me. The Short-eared owl is a fine looking bird, but the silent stalker of the dusky hours gets my vote this round!

I'll be looking out for the Buffy vs Saw Wet round in particular to learn a bit more. The latter had a lot of support last year and this year too so interested to see why.

All rounds are a hard choice given how superbowls are! (Dadum-tish)

I thought the barn owl may have won by more in the last round, just goes to show difficult the competition is!

Snowy & barn still on course for a quarter final clash! I missed their rounds so must check in better. It's an interesting side, if either get through to the semi there's some real challengers there for the final spot still.

I'm not so familiar with the l/h side species but burrowing vs great horned is an interesting clash.

I think you're missing the point of such distruptive protesting. It's a reflection of the seriousness of the situation and the lack of progress through more respectful and peaceful means that has lead to this point. They impose themselves on the average person-in-the-street to push the message harder. Yes people don't like it, but that's half the point as it gets the attention required. It's not meant to be nice, it's not meant to be pretty. Making people angry at the inconvenience is also part of the point as so many people are ignoring the issue in favour of maintaining the comfortable status quo. And it's this comfortable status quo that is at threat, but people don't see it or want to admit it. Getting people on side is only any good if they're sufficiently riled up, so I don't think they're really losing anyone through these tactics.

Pink was also covered by red. I believe the name for pink comes from the plant group Dianthus, which includes carnations. They were a popular adorment worn by men on their suits at weddings for a period of time, during which probably made the colour reference familiar to most people and then became the norm (Hopefully that's all correct, that's what I understand at least!).

There also exist 'pinking scissors' for cutting those trianglar jagged edges to fabrics. The term 'pinking' refering to the Dianthus flower petals that have a jagged edge.

So pink was a shape rather than a colour originally!