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.
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.
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) .
If I hadn’t seen the Barred Owl fly up into this tree I might have walked by without noticing him. He sure saw me. It was a spot I’ve passed many times but never seen much happening. Rather dark with a heavy tree canopy, it’s not far from the bamboo area where a juvenile has been learning to hunt. I looked around to see if junior was here too, but didn’t spot him. Or maybe this was him, all grown up—it happens fast.
This Barred Owl sat quietly with his catch, a Five-lined Skink, a common lizard in South Carolina.
After squeezing it with his beak for a bit he transferred it to his talon. You can see the tail dangling below the branch in this next image.
I didn’t see any sign of life in the lizard, but the owl kept a firm hold for six or seven minutes before flying off with it.
Looking a little worse for the wear this Bard Owl was drying out after a rain
Way up in a pine tree this fuzzy Barred Owl Owlet was drying off after a downpour.
One of his parents was over by the bamboo pond; I did not spot the other, but don’t doubt it was nearby.
Based on previous year’s experience we’ll soon be seeing junior closer to the pond to get hunting lessons.
The sun was peeking in and out after a heavy late afternoon downpour. The tree canopy has filled in over the small pond below this Barred Owl’s perch further limiting the light on this gorgeous emerald scene.
