I haven't seen any Owls for weeks and I was so happy to stumble onto this one. The sun was shining and it was much easier to get a photo of him today than it was on a late afternoon in December when it was nearly dark.
Everytime I spot one of these sweet Barred Owls they just sit there and let me take as many pictures as I want as long as I keep my distance unlike the Eagles and Hawks that require a more stealthy approach! I can even talk to them and it doesn't seem to bother them a bit.
It's been a very long time since I have seen an owl.
I believe that the last time was when we were at my daughter's, who at that time lived in town. We were standing outside in front of her garage when a large bird swooped in and landed in a bush right beside the garage. Not knowing what it was, I very slowly turned my head and saw it on the top of the bush. I don't even remember if I had my camera or phone with me at the time. I'll have to peruse my photos and see if I was able to record the event.
@skipt07 It's definitely a rare treat to see owls around here too. I hear the Great Horned Owls occasionally but haven't seen one in years. The Barred Owls have been around but they blend in so well in the trees it's not always easy to spot them!! I talked to another photographer yesterday who said he saw a pair of Saw-Whet Owls near where this one was so I'm on a mission to find them!! :)
Outstanding capture! The intersecting branches and the owl's coloring depict the perfect environment. The owl appears to be looking right you and listening to your every word. Your exceptional encounters and images of birds of prey makes me think you are a bird whisperer.
Gorgeous shot! It amazes me how many large birds you run across. We have them here but you really have to hunt to find them. And when you do, they are so far away that it's hard to get a nice clear shot.
@bobbic They tend to hang out in the same area so if you see them once go back and keep going back. Sightings seem to run in cycles. For days in a row I'll see Eagles, then Owls or Heron or whatever and then they disappear but eventually I'll see them return to the same spots again and again. I see them when I least expect it usually and yes, they are often too far out to get a decent shot but every now and then they cooperate!! :)
I believe that the last time was when we were at my daughter's, who at that time lived in town. We were standing outside in front of her garage when a large bird swooped in and landed in a bush right beside the garage. Not knowing what it was, I very slowly turned my head and saw it on the top of the bush. I don't even remember if I had my camera or phone with me at the time. I'll have to peruse my photos and see if I was able to record the event.