Barred owl (Strix varia)
Yesterday as my husband and I were leaving a great birding area to warm up with hot chocolate or coffee, my husband spotted this barred owl sleeping on a limb close to the road. The owl saw me but I didn't get in too close so it didn't fly away, just sat there turning its head and opening and closing its eyes. Note that this owl has brown eyes, not yellow like all other North American owls.
Same owl, a couple of hours later
When we - a tad warmer -returned, the owl was gone and I turned my attention to smaller birds. But as we headed out again - this time for home - the owl was perched in a different spot and was very wide awake. This time it made it's very famous hoot which gives the bird another name, the hoot owl.
Slightly different pose
I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
60 comments:
Oh I just came from Tex @runaroundranchreport and she also had an Barred Owl I think this must be a happy sign. They are the most beautiful birds. How lucky for you.
Your shots are beautiful and I so wish I had of been there to see it. Beautiful. B
Hubby has a good eye to spot this guy. Your photos are amazing!!
You are lucky. I haven't seen an owl in years.
This one obviously knows that you are there to immortalize him with your great photography. Very nice indeed.
i just came from TexWisGirl and she has these same owls, and i told her i have a jealousy fit when i see photos, because i have never seen one in the wild. beautiful
This is really a terrific series, EG! Love this owl, and had no idea that North American owls mostly had blue eyes! You're a font of information!
What a beauty! Would you please direct her to my neck of the woods? I need a squirrel predator and pronto! :)
Very nice to spot and even nicer to photograph!
What an amazing shot of the owl & so beautiful, too! Sometimes I can hear an owl in our backyard, although I've never seen it.
Thanks for stopping by my place today. It's gonna be an interesting day to see how the election turns out. My vote went for Romney. I like to think he's the lesser of the two evils so-to-speak. lol
Fantastic! This would make a wonderful drawing. I may give it a try.
Darla
Great photos. I never see those owls.
They can be hard to spot. Beautiful captures of the Barred Owl.
He is a beauty! You were at the right place at the right time with your camera.
The owl has great camouflage against the bark of this particular tree. Great spot, and shot of a beautiful looking bird.
I sometimes wonder how people see owls and other birds like this. Maybe you just look for them while I focus on plants! But he sure is a good looking guy!!
These are fantastic shots! I am so jealous!
These are beautiful captures of this owl. I have never seen one in the wild.
Great shots. This guy - or gal - could win an owl beauty contest!
blogger serendipity! :) he's beautiful.
the brown eyes add to the overall sweet yet sad look they have
great captures!
What a great find...I have never been able to capture any kind of owls. They are very mysterious creatures arent' they?
laurie
You certainly had a very cooperative owl here and got lovely pictures.
What fabulous captures of the owl.
The Barred Owls eyes are brown because they prefer to hunt in the dark of night and the brown allows them to absorb more light (other nocturnal Owls hunt at dusk and dawn). They are wonderful hunters and use sound as their main means of hunting prey. They can locate a mouse under drifts of snow by hearing it's movement. I love the Barred Owl and your are lucky to have seen this one. I have worked with them as education birds (imprinted and can't be released), but have never seen one in the wild. Thank you for these great pictues ...
Andrea @ From The Sol
You are so lucky to see all these wonderful birds! I don't think they venture into the city.
that is a stunning series of photo's. I've never seen an owl up that close.
I'll tell you what I just told texwisgirl...they are the most interesting birds! I love their heart-shaped faces. You did a great job capturing him!
ah. you were so lucky. This is a gorgeous owl with the dark eyes. Lovely shots and a memory for life. :)
Lucky you ,great shot ,Nette
How wonderful to be able to photograph such beautiful birds in the day light hours. Barred and Great Grays are my Favorites in the Owl kingdom~
I have never seen one of these before and these are beautiful captures. I love that you spotted it yet again, a few hours later - it was meant to be photographed by you!
(It was fun to grow up in Hawaii, but we didn't get beautiful seasons like this:)
Fantastic owl photos
Great photos of the owl.
Beautiful creature!
What a beautiful bird! You are such a great photographer.
Oh my ..... what a beautiful bird!!!
This species is the one we see (and hear!) most often in central Florida. Very nice images!!
--Wally
I love owls, and this one is a treasure!!!
Such excellent photos. Owls are really my favorite birds.
I am always amazed at what you can see. I'm sure I've walked past many of the amazing things you taken photos of without realizing.
These are fantastic shots of a great bird.
They are a gorgeous bird and interesting to observe. You exercised patience, capturing some great shots.
Bravo!
What a beauty.
Now I have to be envious of Theresa and you! :)
Kidding aside - amazing shots!
Owl have you know these are fabulous shots! Just fabulous!
Wonderful series! The first shot is fantastic!!
wow, love, love, love the composition, angles and the beautiful tones.
well done:)
What a beautiful creature, and how nicely s/he posed for your photos! They're exquisite!
Oh well done eagle eyed husband, what a treat to see and photograph. Lovely shots EG.
What stunning pictures, thank you for the close look at a beautiful owl.
Great portrait!!!
What beautiful captures of this marvelous owl!
These are realy great shots, you were very lucky to capture them.
WOW! BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! You did a great job!
Wonderful images! I'm glad it was still in the area when you returned!
Visiting from Wild Bird Wednesday ~
How lucky to spot the bird! Those are great shots.
What fantastic photos of the owl!!
you have so many lovely photos here on your blog! :)
Beautiful photos.
WOW! That is some bird! I really like owls, but I dont see them all that often!
Thanks for linking to WBW. I was in Oman all last week, hence the slow reply!
Stewart M - Australia
Hi there. Great pictures of the Barred Owl. My wife, Jean, and I like your guys also came upon a Barred Owl this past weekend, by accident near Markham, Ontario. For anyone interested we have posted our pictures and video at: http://frametoframe.ca/photo-essay-barred-owl-sighting-markham-ontario/
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