Between my neighborhood Great Horned Owl and the local Barred Owl family, this really seems to be the month of the Owl for me. I am enjoying every bit of it!
On Sunday, I visited the local Barred Owl family with a friend. I had every intention of spending an entire morning with them – and I did from 8:30AM to 12:30PM. We could hear one of the babies as soon as we started on the trail from the parking area and eventually found one baby not far off the trail. The baby flew to another tree right below an adult.
Barred Owl baby
By staying for the full morning I witnessed some really cool things that I may have otherwise missed:
Mom and baby shared a moment together that did not involve food exchange.
Mom and baby Barred Owl share a tender moment
A Red-shouldered Hawk was screaming at the Owls. The adult Owl seemed unconcerned even after the Hawk swooped past it’s baby. The Hawk showed up again later in the morning.
Red-shouldered Hawk
We believe the Hawk was after an already dead Crow that was in the bog. The story behind this Crow is unknown to us. All we know is that after the Hawk left, Mom went into the bog and lifted a Crow out.
Mom Barred Owl with a Crow
Mom Barred Owl with a Crow
The juvenile Owl decided to preen a single feather even after it already fell off. Notice how he is holding the feather with his feet.
Young Barred Owl cleaning a single feather
One of the babies decided to take a bath in the bog.
Barred Owl inside the bog for a bath
After the bath, the young Owl had some preening to do.
Barred Owl Juvenile shaking off some water
Barred Owl Juvenile scratching an itch
We caught the young Owl on the perfect perch.
Young Barred Owl on a nice perch above the bog
The Owls sometimes came to us.
Barred Owl up close
They didn’t mind falling asleep even when we were nearby.
Barred Owl falling asleep
Spending a morning with Owls is a great way to start the day! Though, I could have done without the constant mosquito bites (even after putting on coats of spray).
Young Barred Owl fluffed up
For more photos, please see my Flickr Photostream.