My Barred Owl is back!

I have enjoyed lurking on this forum, but although I spend a lot of time bird watching, I don't usually do it with a camera in my hand.

We have a pair of Barred Owls who live in our woods, and we love to listen to them call back and forth when we are working in the yard (although it drives the dogs absolutely nuts). This was my first real experience with an owl who wasn't exclusively nocturnal.

I catch them sitting in the trees above my pond every once in a while, and it just so happened that I DID have a camera in my hand this weekend when I saw the male. He was kind enough to pose for me until I got to be about 20 or so feet away from his tree... then he became camera shy.

At least I was able to catch a couple of fair shots and I thought some here might enjoy seeing him... he is a beauty!

Julie

I wish I could have gotten a little closer, or that my camera was a little better, but here is a cropped version.

I just love owls, I could watch them for a good long time.

I love them too, but this is the first yard that I have acutally had the joy of having them in. They have been residents for about 4 years, and I will still lay awake at night just to listen to them if they are talking!

Julie he is gorgeous! I'm so glad you got some pics of him.

Great pictures! Aren't they interesting to look at? Almost other-worldly.

I'd love to take a couple of pictures of him... can you send him my way for a photo op? :)

They just are magnificent aren't they...I love it when ours talk too!