Went out today to do an owl count for Project WAfLS which is gathering information about the population status of the short-eared owl. The western US has seen a dramatic decline in their numbers, presumably due to climate change and these citizen-scientist efforts will help influence conservation actions taken by environmental agencies to help protect the species. This is not a short-eared owl, we didn't see any of those...
We have one in the wildlife sanctuary nearby!! All telescopes, binoculsrs and long lenses trained on it a few weeks ago. It was a pale blob in a green blobby tree in the far distance. In the olden days, pre Covid, tthy would have let me look through their telescope for a better view.
Oh, beautiful! We have barred owls in our area all the time. I've had some in my backyard I can never find, but in summer, they start up their chatter at 10pm! I always try to locate them, but no luck. My brother had a family in his backyard, and we called them and they came! The next day, I took my camera, and I got my very first shot of an owl "in the wild." I love them so much.
@darylo Oh, how I’d LOVE to see a barred owl!! That would be a lifer for me. I’ve been close, apparently just missing one a couple of times. Owls are truly magnificent, aren’t they?!
This is a great view of an owl
truly awesome!