In Marin County, across the mixed forests of Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Oak (Quercus sp.), and California Bay (Umbellularia californica), Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) feast on their favorite prey item - Dusky-footed Woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes). As they perch in the shadows of the deep forest, Steller’s Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) occasionally give away the owl’s location with their loud, raucous calls. Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum) and Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana) are among the many plants that characterize the forest ecosystem the owls are so intimately tied to. Throughout the mature conifer forests of North America, Northern Spotted Owls have been impacted by both deforestation and the arrival of Barred Owls (Strix varia) across their range. However, in Marin County, the Spotted Owls remain relatively stable to date, likely due to large areas of protected habitat throughout the county, and low numbers of Barred Owls.
This piece was created after an artist-in-residence at Point Blue Conservation Science’s Palomarin Field Station in West Marin County. Through art and science collaboration, 7 Ravens Studio and Point Blue hope to engage more people in conservation action.
$1 of the sale of each note card will be donated to Point Blue Conservation Science to support habitat protection, restoration, monitoring, and community engagement. Learn more about Point Blue’s work at pointblue.org.
6” x 6” card printed in Santa Cruz. Blank inside. Envelope included.