Tag Archives: Owl

Raptor

Burrowing Owl, Center For Birds of Prey, 2

July 5, 2021 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

Continued from Burrowing Owl, Center For Birds of Prey, 1

New to the educational program at the Center for Birds of Prey since the last time I was there was a Burrowing Owl.

The little Burrowing Owl (about 5 ounces, 150gm) is quite striking.

Scanning the sky for safety, the Burrowing Owl was aware of any movement overhead.

The presenters are also on the lookout for hawks and other predators which have been known to drop in on their programs. On this day we only saw Black Vultures and Anhinga passing by.

Without any apparent preparation, the owl dropped into flight.

The Center for Birds of Prey, Awanda, SC
June 24, 2021

Raptor

Burrowing Owl, Center For Birds of Prey, 1

July 3, 2021 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

New to the educational program at the Center for Birds of Prey since the last time I was there was a Burrowing Owl.

A small fake burrow has been set up at the flight demo area where this female zipped through the tunnels a few times.

At about 5 ounces (150g) these owls are small and fast, both in the air and running.

Like all of the demonstration birds in this program, the owl was sporting a radio transmitter in case of “unauthorized absence.”

She is also trained to perch on the handler’s glove, where you can see the relative size of this little owl.

Burrowing Owl, On Handler's Glove — Burrowing Owl, On Handler’s Glove

The Center for Birds of Prey, Awanda, SC
June 24, 2021

Raptor

Eurasian Eagle Owl

June 27, 2021 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

We visited the Center for Birds of Prey last week for the first time in three years. Their COVID scaled back program included handlers showing off three raptors before the flight demo.

The Eurasian Eagle Owl is one of my favorites. Well that could be a stretch, they are all gorgeous and fascinating birds.

The Center for Birds of Prey, Awanda, SC
June 24, 2021

Raptor

Barred Owlet Camoflaged

April 27, 2019 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

It would be easy to walk right underneath this Barred Owl Owlet without even knowing he was there. I probably have more than a few times!

The adult that was with him for his Eating Lesson had flown off to sit over the pond, leaving the little fellow on his own.

He was somewhat covered by the pine boughs and his coloration seen from a predator above would blend in with his surroundings. When I was leaving I saw the other parent a few trees away keeping his eye on the area.

Raptor

Barred Owl in Bamboo Grove

June 8, 2018 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

A pair of Barred Owls frequents the pond near this stand of bamboo looking for food. This owl had just had an unsuccessful attempt to catch a noisy bullfrog.

The bullfrog stopped his song but the owl flew away with nothing in his talons. The owl chose a spot with a good view of the pond to watch and listen for his next opportunity.

Native bamboo was grown on the plantations in South Carolina to create natural barriers to help keep livestock in and keep predators out. Today it makes a beautiful addition to some of the area gardens and museum properties.

Raptor

Barred Owl

June 6, 2018 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

We visited Beidler Forest last week with out of town guests. We were all delighted to see a Barred Owl shortly after leaving the visitor center and quite close to the board walk. The owl impressed the guests with a head swiveling demo but opted not to go fishing while we were watching.

Raptor

Barred Owl, Low Light

May 8, 2018 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

It had clouded over on our way to visit the owl spot meaning the light was low, but we continued on. It was for owls, after all.

He was there, looking around and fully aware we were watching him.

Raptor

Eurasian Eagle Owl Close Up

May 6, 2018 Ellen Jennings 8 Comments

With a six and one half foot (two meter) wing span the Eurasian Eagle Owl is the largest owl in the world. Orange eyes and luxurious feathers make them quite distinctive, not to mention those big ear tufts.

Found throughout Europe and Asia, they can weigh up to six pounds (2.75 KG).

The stare was quite intense!

Eurasian Eagle-owl, Bubo bubo

The Center for Birds of Prey offers photographers an opportunity to take close-up photographs of owls and other birds of prey a few times a year.

The Center for Birds of Prey, Photography Day, April 22, 2018, Awanda, SC.

Raptor

Ural Owl

April 27, 2018 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

The Ural Owl is a medium-sized nocturnal owl found in Europe and northern Asia. They are in the same genus, Strix, as the locally more familiar Barred Owl.

The close ups below were taken with the Sony Alpha 6500, Sony 55-210 mm lens.

The ridge of feathers at the edge of the face create a disc, which works to trap and focus sound.

Ural Owl, Strix uralensis

The Center for Birds of Prey offers photographers an opportunity to take close-up photographs of owls and other birds of prey a few times a year.

The Center for Birds of Prey, Photography Day, April 22, 2018, Awanda, SC.

Juvenile Birds, Raptor

Spectacled Owl Chicks

April 25, 2018 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

The Center for Birds of Prey has an active breeding program. The chicks they raise are used in educational programs here and also are swapped to other similar facilities around the US.

These cuties were not on the schedule for our Photography Day, but conditions were good for these two Spectacled Owl chicks to come out and strut their stuff.