Deodar Cedar
Probably 30 years old. Lower branches sag clear to the ground and
upper branches break in ice storms. Serves as a periodic refuge for racoons and owls.
Every summer a whole crop of cherry trees sprout from seeds in the racoon droppings.
I collected this owl pellet under the tree about 4 feet from the trunk in March of 2005. It measures a full 3 inches in length.
Notice the fur and bones that make up the bulk of the pellet. Also notice the teeth of some small rodent on the far right.
I'm guessing it came from a Great Horned Owl, which are common in this area. We hear them frequently at night.