I’m reasonably sure that these two images are of the same Barred Owl. I first spotted him in a little glen where I have previously seen a pair. It was late afternoon and as the sun got lower the light filtered through a gap in the trees behind me.
After a bit the Owl flew towards a small pond and I continued my walk. As I suspected the Owl didn’t go far, or his mate was here the whole time. The trees were much denser and it was darker here, but still a nice view of a beautiful bird.
He started out in the classic Bald Eagle pose.
Then worked on some personal grooming.
He made me hopeful I might see a flight.
Finally he settled in facing the opposite direction from when I first spotted him.
It was late afternoon on a gloomy day when I spotted a Bald Eagle perched above the pond, facing away from the water.
The mate appeared, quietly, while I wasn’t looking.
A Cooper’s Hawk just passing by at the end of the day.
A Red-shouldered Hawk watched the sun come up into a cloudless sky on a recent crisp morning.
Red-shouldered Hawks around Magnolia Plantation and Gardens are pretty tolerant of people passing by.
With human foot traffic mostly limited to paths due to the various ponds and swamps the raptors have a lot of space that is just theirs.
This one took off over a swamp with a “I’m traveling” flap of his wings, not “I’m going for prey” dive giving me a nice level view.
The best thing about winter is leaf-less limbs, that often can be in the image without obscuring a passing bird.
I returned to the Owl area about an hour after taking the images in my post Barred Owl, Cozy In The Sun to find the Owl in the same spot, perhaps shifted a bit with the sun.
Barred Owls haven’t been spotted in this immediate area for months and I wondered if this was one of the parents of last year’s Barred Owl Owlet . And also if the mate might also be around.
I wandered around the small pond and saw a large white splat on the ground. Looking up, there s/he was.
Because the two owls were so close together, maybe 150 feet (45 Meters) I’m reasonably sure they are a couple. An interloper, even last year’s young, would be driven off.
January 28, 2021
A passing photographer shared this Barred Owl’s location; I’m not sure I would have spotted it unless it moved when I was right there.
He was puffed up for the cold and wind, and appeared to be snoozing, but did rouse enough for a bit of grooming on his gigantic claw.
The resurrection fern just to the left of the owl on the Live Oak branch was looking good after the previous day’s rain around 1 1/2 inches ( 4 cm) .
In a new flight pattern this fall and winter, I’ve seen Bald Eagles flying over the pond with the Great Blue Heron rookery. A couple of weeks ago I saw one go by and about four minutes later one came back with a fish in his claws.
I can’t say for certain its the same bird but given their territorial nature it is likely, making that a pretty efficient dinner run.
