Having a wooded lot, we get a lot of birds and woodpeckers of every variety. Surprisingly though, an owl is a rare treat. Husband saw one once right after we moved in, about 20 years ago. I will occasionally think I've heard one, only to find out it's one of those dumb mourning doves. Then, this past August, I heard a "Who, Who, Who, Whoo/Who, Who, Who, Whoo" around 5 a.m. one morning. Then again, a few days later. It was a distinctive hoot and I looked it up on the internet and discovered it was a Barred Owl. His hoot sounds like he's saying, "Who Cooks For You? Who Cooks For Youuuu?"
After about two weeks of all of us hearing him every few days, we finally caught sight of him up in a tree about 10 yards from our deck. He didn't seem to be the least bit scared of us when we stood right under the tree and captured this shot. In fact, he sort of glared at us like we were idiots! I'm hoping this will mean fewer mice in the garage this winter.
After about two weeks of all of us hearing him every few days, we finally caught sight of him up in a tree about 10 yards from our deck. He didn't seem to be the least bit scared of us when we stood right under the tree and captured this shot. In fact, he sort of glared at us like we were idiots! I'm hoping this will mean fewer mice in the garage this winter.
careful of falling pellets :)
ReplyDeleteWell, you know, owls being all wise and all, of course he'd look at you like you were idiots. . .
ReplyDeleteThat's really very cool. Getting an actual sighting of an owl, even one you regularly hear, is pretty rare. . .
And, you know - "A person's a person, no matter how small". . .
;)
Awesome! Personally, owls scare me. I don't think I could have gotten that close, even though I would have wanted to. They are beautiful, though.
ReplyDelete@M - It wouldn't have surprised me if he had let a few drop on us; we were hooting at him hoping he'd hoot back while we watched. He just looked at us.
ReplyDeleteCraig - I hope he sticks around. Haven't heard him since last Thursday.
Flutter - They are sort of spooky! This was with a zoom lens; we were probably about 20 feet below him.
I love it when they are in the woods behind our house!
ReplyDeleteThat's neat, lucky you! I hope he does stick around :)
ReplyDeleteThat is great! I'd love to catch a picture of an owl in situ. Last spring I was able to get a poor shot of an eagle in my front yard, but that is it.
ReplyDeleteLaggin - Where've you been??
ReplyDeleteSailor - He'd be a nice addition to Halloween, wouldn't he?
Russ - I've seen 2 eagles in the past month, but not at home. One at the park and one in a tree about 2 miles from home. They are the best!
Great capture of the owl! I have some who live just outside my porch, but they are usually well camouflaged by the leaves.
ReplyDeleteOwls are amazing critters, love 'em! Wish they didn't mostly come out at night .....
ReplyDeletechances are something was disturbing his nest if he was out during the day. That or he was looking for some action ....
I miss the snowy owl that used to buzz me when I hunted. I had a deer call that attracted him and he'd do a fly-by to try and find me. He never did, apparently my camo duds worked pretty well.
Very cool! I actually held an owl once -- scared the crap out of me and him. (He flew into the front of our car and we had to take him to the wildlife rescue center.)
ReplyDeleteAgent - Do they hoot very much?
ReplyDeleteX - This guy has been out a lot during the day. With all the noise, I'm assuming he's looking for a mate?
Rhonda - I could not handle that!
you said pecker.. heesnort ha he
ReplyDelete(that was said in my best Beavis $ Butthead imitation)
JK - I guess you caught me.
ReplyDelete