spotted owl

Remember when people used to strap themselves to old growth trees while protesting logging activities? It was (mostly) to save the spotted owl. I still can't believe that I saw one in the wild while hiking in Vancouver.
https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/the-story/northern-spotted-owl-oregon-timber-habitat-endangered-species-act/283-33c8a857-668c-4058-abfb-b536a584968a

edit: pictured is a barred owl (I think).

[KV]

Beautiful bird and it blends into the tree trunk quite well. I do remember the protesters doing this.

[haskar]

How wonderful it is to notice such a beautiful bird in nature.

[Stephomy]

Awesome! Every time I think I've seen a spotted owl, it turned out to be a barred owl, which are the owls that are taking up all of what's left of the spotted owl's habitat.

[Krista Marson]

@stephomy Now you got me wondering about this one. How can you tell the difference?

[Krista Marson]

@stephomy darn it, I think it's a barred owl now, based on the plumage. Thanx for mentioning it! I learned about owls today! https://ourrvadventures.com/barred-owl-vs-spotted-owl/

[Stephomy]

@blueberry1222 The main way I tell the difference is on the pattern on the belly, https://birdertopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/spotted-owl-vs-barred-owl-1024x538.png The way I always remember is that the vertical stripes are kind of like bars.

[Rob Z]

What superb camouflage!

[Dave]

Great find.

[Krista Marson]

@stephomy of course, its belly is facing the tree! But, based on the plumage, I think it's a Barred Owl. Cute bird, but invasive. https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/northern-spotted-owl-still-fights-survival

[Shutterbug]

Good eye. Nice capture.

[LManning (Laura)]

Awesome capture. But yes, I think it’s a Barred Owl.

[Call me Joe]

👍❤️👍

[Issi Bannerman]

Nicely seen and done!

[Brian]

What a find! Great POV. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻