I took this image back in May and it’s not a whole lot different than others I’ve taken of this Barred Owl or its mate–who could tell them apart?
I do like the three-pronged stick, and of course the Owl, so came back to it.
We are in the summer doldrums here in SC as far as seeing many birds. Those that were here to breed have mostly scattered and the locals are hiding from the heat and rain.
Framing of a scene by a tree can be good, lending a natural composition element to a bird image, like this Barred Owl.
It was still good as he swiveled his head to check out something above us.
But then as he bent down I knew…
…the framing would keep me from catching the action.
I did get kind of a cool picture of his powerful talons.
An owl’s wing will stretch a long way, and this one nicely showed off the striped feather markings.
A few seconds later, all feathers back in place.
The establish pair of Barred Owls at Magnolia Plantation had two chicks this year but it seems just one survived once they left the nest which I featured yesterday in my post Barred Owl Owlet.
This is one of the parents that was watching from 100 feet (30 Meters) away.
I got distracted from photographing while pointing out the adult, then the chick, to an interested passing couple. One of them had never seen a live owl of any kind and was extremely excited, which made my day.
May 16, 2021
The establish pair of Barred Owls at Magnolia Plantation had two chicks this year but it seems just one survived once they left the nest.
I saw them peeking from the nest the first week of April so this one must be at least 8 or 9 weeks old.
Not a reliable flyer yet, he will depend on his parents for food for several more weeks when they’ll start to teach him how it’s done.
One of the parents was watching from 100 feet (30 Meters) away; the other may have been right there, too, but I didn’t see him.
May 16, 2021
The children’s ditty used as a countdown to starting a race or competition came to my mind as I watched this Barred Owl take off.
One for the money
Two for the show
Three to make ready and
Four to go
Or, by Elvis Presley in Blue Suede Shoes:
It’s one for the money two for the show
Three to get ready now go, cat, go
I wasn’t sure this was a Barred Owl at first as the color was so dark. Looking at the images closer up it was clear it was and that he was soaking wet.
A few crows were harassing him, and he Swooped to another tree.
He didn’t go far, picking another spot in the morning sun to help dry off.
There is not much doubt they always hear the human coming. I was walking in crunchy leaves and didn’t even try to be stealthy.
